Una and the Lion Silver Coins

The Una and the Lion silver coin series brings one of the most famous and admired designs in British numismatic history into fine .999 silver. Originally created in 1839 by William Wyon RA, this neoclassical masterpiece has been revived through modern releases by The Royal Mint and St Helena (East India Company issues), making it accessible to a wider range of collectors while preserving its historic prestige.

Struck in fine silver and available in multiple weights, these coins combine exceptional artistry with strong global collector demand.

Inspired by Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queene , the design depicts Queen Victoria as Una, accompanied by a lion symbolising strength, protection, and the British nation.

Modern silver issues highlight:

• Extraordinary neoclassical engraving detail
• Symbolism of unity, virtue, and monarchy
• Faithful remastering of one of the world’s most famous coin designs

This combination of storytelling and craftsmanship makes it one of the most recognisable designs in modern coin collecting.

Today, Una and the Lion silver coins are produced across multiple respected issuing authorities, including:

• 🏛️ The Royal Mint (Great Engravers series)
• 🏝️ St Helena issues (East India Company releases)
• 🌏 Select international bullion and commemorative issues

St Helena editions in particular have broadened access to the design, offering lower entry prices while maintaining strong collectability and global appeal.

This series remains one of the most desirable modern silver coin themes due to its combination of history, rarity, and artistic reputation.

Buyers are drawn to:

• 🎨 One of the most famous coin designs in history
• 🪙 .999 fine silver content across all issues
• 📉 Limited mintages on proof and collector editions
• 🌍 Global recognition across multiple mints
• 📈 Strong demand in both collector and investment markets

Royal Mint Great Engravers editions are especially sought after, with some issues limited to just a few thousand pieces worldwide.

The silver range offers a more accessible way to collect this iconic design compared to gold issues, while still maintaining strong collector value.

Typical formats include:

• 1oz silver bullion or proof coins
• 2oz premium proof editions
• Large-format collector issues (higher-end releases)

This makes the series suitable for both new collectors and experienced numismatists.

Within modern silver coin collecting, Una and the Lion is widely regarded as a cornerstone design due to its:

• Historic importance in British engraving
• Continued revival through modern minting programmes
• Strong global demand across multiple issuing mints
• Reputation as one of the most beautiful coin designs ever created

It remains a centrepiece coin for many themed and high-end silver collections.

Una and the Lion silver coins offer a rare combination of:

• Artistic heritage
• Historical storytelling
• Investment-grade silver content
• Strong international collectability

Whether purchased as a standalone piece or part of a wider Great Engravers collection, it remains one of the most desirable silver coin designs available today.

Browse our selection of Una and the Lion silver coins from The Royal Mint, St Helena, and international issuers, including 1oz proof coins, 2oz collector editions, and limited-release issues.