Summary
Gold pattern for a coin; Denomination: 5 Pounds
Royal Mint, London
Queen Victoria (1837-1901)
This coin is known as the Una and the Lion Five Pound piece. It was ultimately derived from a poem, The Faerie Queene by Edmund Spenser in praise of Queen Elizabeth I published in 1590. In that poem Una is the personification of the "True Church" and also representative of Truth at one point tames a lion by her beauty and honesty. The lion then travels with her both as a guard and to undertake deeds. On the coin, by William Wyon, Una is Queen Victoria. She is wearing a crown and guiding the lion with her sceptre while holding an orb.
Obverse Description
Head of Victoria facing to left; around, VICTORIA D.G: BRITANNIARUM REGINA F:D:; raised on base of neck, W.WYON,R.A
Reverse Description
Victoria standing holding orb in left hand and directing lion to left with sceptre extended in right hand; in exergue, MDCCCXXXIX / W.WYON R.A.; around, DIRIGE DEUS GRESSUS MEOS (translation, God orders my steps).
Edge Description
DECUS ET TUTAMEN . ANNO REGNI TERTIO .
More Information
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), 15 Mar 1976
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Date Issued
1839 AD
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Issued By
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Mint
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Artist
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Denomination
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Material
Gold
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Axis
12
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Dimensions
38 mm (Outside Diameter), 37.209 g (Weight)
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Shape
Round
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References
[Book] Skingley, Philip. 2007. Coins of England and the United Kingdom., Spink 3851 Pages
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Keywords