FEATURED COIN
Una and the Lion 5 Pound Gold Coin 1839: Royal Masterpiece
A legendary proof coin designed by William Wyon
Image: National Museum of American History — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:England_(UK)_1839_5_Pounds_(Una_and_the_Lion)_(obv).jpg (Public domain) / Wikimedia Commons — Public domain
Prologue
The 'Una and the Lion' 5 Pound Gold Coin is considered the most iconic and beautiful coin in the history of British coinage. Designed by William Wyon in 1839, this proof coin brought together the full technical capabilities of The Royal Mint at the time, and it is still recognised today as one of the world's most highly regarded classic coins. With its mintage of about 400 pieces, proof strike and mythological design motif, the coin has gained immense popularity among collectors and investors. This article provides a detailed explanation of the history, design, rarity and current market value of the Una and the Lion 5 Pound Gold Coin.
At a Glance
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Year
- 1839
- Denomination
- 5 Pounds (Proof)
- Designer
- William Wyon
- Diameter
- 36 mm
- Weight
- 39.94 g
- Fineness
- .9167 gold
- Grade
- NGC PF62
- Mintage
- About 400
- Condition
- Proof
Historical Background of the Una and the Lion 5 Pound Gold Coin
The Pinnacle of Minting Technology in the Victorian Era
The year 1839 was a time when Great Britain was under the rule of Queen Victoria, and the British Empire was establishing its global hegemony. During this period, Britain leveraged the fruits of the Industrial Revolution, leading to dramatic advances in minting technology. The Una and the Lion 5 Pound gold coin is a commemorative proof coin produced by the Royal Mint, utilising this advanced technology. The background to this coin's creation includes William Wyon's intention, as Chief Engraver, to establish a new standard for coin design. Wyon aimed to create a coin that was a true work of art by fusing classical beauty with modern technology. The limited mintage of approximately 400 pieces suggests it was produced as a trial proof strike or as a special presentation piece for royalty and high-ranking officials. In Victorian-era coin production, each strike was carried out by hand, and the skill and experience of the craftsmen greatly influenced the final quality. In the case of the Una and the Lion 5 Pound gold coin, a special proof manufacturing process resulted in a sharpness and deep relief distinct from circulation coins. The Royal Mint of this era was not merely an institution for producing currency for circulation but also played a role as a producer of works that demonstrated the nation's glory and technological prowess to the world.
William Wyon: The Legendary Engraver
William Wyon (1795-1851) is one of the most respected engravers in the history of British minting, and his creative work is still considered exemplary today. Wyon showed artistic talent from a young age and, after being employed by the Royal Mint, created many famous coin designs. His works are characterised by their classical perfection and precise technical execution. Wyon first gained attention for his coin designs during the reign of George IV. Later, upon entering the Victorian era, he successively released innovative coin designs befitting the new monarch. The design of the Una and the Lion 5 Pound gold coin is considered a work from the period when he reached the pinnacle of his skill and creativity. Wyon's design methodology involved a step-by-step process of meticulous sketching, model creation, and final engraving in metal. Detailed adjustments were made at each stage, aiming for perfection in the lines and shadows expressed on the coin's surface. The engraving of his signature ("W.W.") on a coin was understood to guarantee the artistic and technical excellence of the work. Wyon's legacy has had a profound influence on later engravers, and his aesthetic principles continue to be referenced in modern coin design.
The Design Aesthetics of the Una and the Lion 5 Pound Gold Coin
Mythological Motifs: The Symbolism of Una and the Lion
The design of the Una and the Lion 5 Pound gold coin is inspired by Edmund Spenser's 16th-century romantic epic poem, The Faerie Queene. In this poem, Una is a symbol of justice and purity, while the lion symbolizes strength and courage. The relationship between the two in Spenser's work was recognized by Wyon as a perfect metaphor for the justice and power of the British monarchy. On the coin's obverse, Una is depicted in an elegant gown, wearing a crown. She holds a sceptre, with a maned lion at her side. This arrangement is not merely for decorative beauty; it symbolizes how the female monarch (Queen Victoria) is supported by a powerful guardian (the authority of the state and its military might). The depiction of Una and the Lion embodies classical sculptural beauty, yet Wyon's unique perspective is evident throughout. In particular, Una's elegant pose, the rendering of the folds in her gown, and the lion's powerful yet noble posture show meticulous observation and artistic refinement. The complexity of this design also translated into manufacturing difficulty, and achieving a proof strike demanded an extremely high level of technical skill from the mint's artisans. Furthermore, because the design has a mythological and literary background, the coin came to be recognized not merely as currency, but as a work of art with cultural and historical significance.
Technical Perfection and the Manufacturing Process
When the Una and the Lion 5 Pound gold coin was produced as a proof coin, a completely different process from that of normal circulating currency was applied. A proof strike is a special method of production using sharp and perfect press pressure, polished dies, and a special metal finish. In this process, each coin was individually manufactured with great care, and maintaining the highest standard of quality was the top priority. The coin's specifications of a 36mm diameter and 39.94g weight are standard for a 5 Pound gold coin, but its gold purity of 916.7/1000 (22-carat gold) represents the highest standard for British gold coinage at the time. This purity was set to achieve a perfect balance between the gold's durability and its beautiful colour. From the creation of the dies to the striking and the final quality inspection, strict standards were applied at every stage. The difficulty of producing a proof coin was extremely high, especially for a complex and detailed design like that of Una and the Lion. The pressure required for the deep relief, the reproduction of fine details, and a perfect, error-free strike—all of these factors are reflected in the limited mintage of approximately 400 pieces. The fact that many of the surviving coins maintain a high grade is a testament to the outstanding skill and dedication of the mint's craftsmen of that era. In modern coin grading, the technical perfection of this coin is always highly rated, and its state of preservation is a matter of utmost concern for collectors.
Rarity and Current Market Value
Extreme Rarity: The Mintage of Approximately 400 and Surviving Population
The greatest factor in the value of the Una and the Lion 5 Pound gold coin is its rarity. Its mintage of approximately 400 pieces is extremely limited, even when compared to other proof coins produced by Britain's mint in the 19th century. This figure strongly suggests that the coin was intentionally produced in limited quantities as a commemorative or special presentation piece. Interestingly, of the original mintage of around 400, the number of confirmed surviving examples to date is significantly lower. Even when counting examples held in major collections, museums, and by private collectors worldwide, it is believed that only several dozen pieces have their existence reliably recorded. It is presumed that many coins were lost due to economic fluctuations from the 19th to the 20th century, dispersed from private collections, or even melted down in their early years. Coins certified by international grading services such as NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company) and PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) are the examples with the most reliable surviving records. The detailed information for these coins is permanently recorded in the census reports of these services, a factor that greatly supports transactions in the coin market. Those with a grade of PF62 or higher are considered particularly rare, and it is said that they appear on the market only about once every few years. The fact that many surviving examples still maintain high grades is the best testament to the minting technology and craftsmanship of the era, serving as evidence of how perfectly these early proof strikes were manufactured.
Investment Value and Market Trends
The Una and the Lion 5 Pound gold coin is one of the most highly valued classic gold coins in today's coin investment market. An NGC-graded PF62 coin is reported to trade in a range of approximately 15 to 25 million yen based on current market estimates. Coins in higher grades (PF63 and above) can achieve prices from 20 to over 40 million yen in competitive auctions. This high price level is supported by several factors. First, the surprisingly high premium over its intrinsic value as gold (the current value of approximately 40g of 22-carat gold is about 300,000 yen) indicates that one is paying a premium based on historical, artistic, and rarity factors, rather than for pure gold. Second, looking at trends in the classic coin market over the past 20 years, ultra-rare coins of this calibre have shown a tendency to increase in price due to stable value retention and strong demand from discerning collectors. From an investor's perspective, the coin's value does not necessarily correlate with fluctuations in the gold market. Rather, long-term appreciation is expected due to the growing number of wealthy individuals worldwide, the increase in high-end collectors in non-Western regions, and the expansion of an investor base that recognises historical and cultural value. However, because it is an extremely illiquid market, it can be said to be more suitable for investors aiming for long-term asset preservation and the enjoyment of cultural value, rather than for short-term trading profits. Tracking auction records reveals that premium-grade examples of this coin tend to exceed their previous transaction prices each time they are sold, a factor contributing to their sustained appreciation.
Value & Rarity
As a coin symbolising 19th-century British minting and artistry, the Una and the Lion 5 Pound Gold Coin receives the highest level of appraisal from modern collectors and investors. The current estimated market price for an NGC PF62 grade is in the range of 15 million to 25 million yen, reflecting a premium of more than 50 times its intrinsic gold value (about 300,000 yen). The basis for this value lies firstly in its extremely limited mintage of about 400 pieces; secondly, its rarity, with the surviving population estimated to be only a few dozen; thirdly, its unparalleled design by the master craftsman William Wyon; and fourthly, its technical excellence as a proof strike. In addition, bullish trends in the classic coin market over the past 20 years, an expanding international collector base, and an increase in affluent individuals who recognise its historical value have supported its sustained appreciation. For investors, this coin should be recognised less for its safe-haven properties as gold bullion and more as a means of value preservation based on its irreversible value as a cultural and historical heritage item, and on the continuous demand from a select group of collectors. While its liquidity is limited, it is an extremely promising asset for long-term investors aiming to build a high-quality collection or preserve family wealth.
In Summary
The 1839 Una and the Lion 5 Pound Gold Coin is a masterpiece known to international collectors. Its mythical and elegant design by William Wyon, extremely limited mintage of about 400 pieces, and the technical skill of its proof strike elevate this coin from mere currency to a work of art that demonstrates a high achievement of civilisation. For a collector, owning this coin means possessing a tangible piece of 19th-century British glory, minting technology excellence and classical aesthetics. While its current market price is not low, its rarity and historical importance make it an irreplaceable acquisition for a true collector. It is also a top-tier asset for investors seeking long-term value preservation and a sense of cultural accomplishment.
Where this coin sits
Age of Empire United Kingdom 1839
Struck in the same age
Sources & Verification
- Research
- GNJ Numismatic Research Desk
- Last updated
- 20 August 2026
- Image source
- National Museum of American History — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:England_(UK)_1839_5_Pounds_(Una_and_the_Lion)_(obv).jpg (Public domain)（Wikimedia Commons — Public domain）
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