Variety: Proof

Total Mintage: 2495

The Queen’s Beasts heraldic statues representing the genealogy of Queen Elizabeth II stood in front of the temporary western annexe to Westminster Abbey for the Queen’s coronation in 1953. Each of The Queen’s Beasts consists of an heraldic beast supporting a shield bearing a badge or arms of a family associated with the ancestry of Queen Elizabeth II. They were commissioned by the British Ministry of Works from sculptor James Woodford. The statues were uncoloured except for their shields at the coronation. They are now on display in the Canadian Museum of History. There are other statues of the Queen’s Beasts, sometimes referred to as the King’s Beasts, at Hampton Court Palace and Kew Gardens in London, and on the roof of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. 

The Lion of England is the crowned golden lion of England, which has been one of the supporters of the Royal Arms since the reign of King Edward IV (1461 – 1483). It supports a shield showing the Arms of the United Kingdom as they have been since Queen Victoria’s accession in 1837. In the first and last quarters of the shield are the lions of England, taken from the arms of Richard I “The Lionheart” (1157- 1199). The lion and tressure (armorial border) of Scotland appear in the second, and the harp of Ireland is in the third.

The obverse of the coin depicts the crowned old head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the Royal Diamond Diadem crown worn for her Coronation (her effigy known as the “Fifth Portrait”).

In small letters below the head, the artist’s initials J.C (for Jody Clark).

Running continuously around the effigy is the monarch’s legend: ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 25 POUNDS ·. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith, followed by the value and denomination in English.

The reverse features the crowned Lion of England standing on its hind legs, ready to defend the kingdom. It holds the Royal Shield of Arms of the United Kingdom.

Around below, the inscription LION OF ENGLAND. Around above, interrupted by the crown, the date · 2017 ·.

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