Una and the Lion Coins

Una and the Lion Gold and Silver Bullion Coins

William Wyon's Legendary 1839 Masterpiece, Now Available as a Bullion Coin for the First Time

For nearly two centuries, William Wyon's Una and the Lion has been celebrated as one of the most beautiful coin designs ever created by The Royal Mint. Originally engraved in 1839, this iconic masterpiece has captivated generations of collectors with its extraordinary detail, classical artistry, and historical significance.

Often called by collectors The Royal Mint's "Mona Lisa," Una and the Lion is among the most sought-after designs in British numismatic history. Original nineteenth-century gold examples have commanded six-figure prices at auction, while modern proof editions have attracted significant collector demand.

Now, 187 years after its creation, the legendary Una and the Lion design is available as a bullion coin for the first time.

Through an exclusive U.S. retail partnership between SD Bullion and The Royal Mint, American buyers can own the 2027 Una and the Lion design in gold and silver bullion coin formats, without paying the extraordinary prices associated with rare original coins.

Explore the 2027 Una and the Lion collection, available exclusively in the United States at SD Bullion.

The Royal Mint: More Than 1,100 Years of Coin-Making Heritage

The Royal Mint is one of the world's oldest manufacturing institutions, with more than 1,100 years of coin-making history.

Throughout its history, the Mint has produced some of the most recognized coin designs in the world, including the British Sovereign, Gold and Silver Britannia coins, and the original Una and the Lion.

The 2027 bullion collection continues that tradition by bringing Wyon's nineteenth-century masterpiece to modern gold and silver bullion products.

For collectors, the release represents an opportunity to own a historic design struck by the same institution responsible for its original creation.

For precious metals buyers, it combines recognizable Royal Mint craftsmanship with the tangible value of physical gold and silver.

The Story Behind William Wyon's 1839 Una and the Lion Masterpiece

In 1839, William Wyon, Chief Engraver of The Royal Mint, created what many collectors consider his greatest artistic achievement: Una and the Lion.

Wyon drew inspiration from Edmund Spenser's sixteenth-century epic poem The Faerie Queene. His design depicts the young Queen Victoria as Una, a fictional character representing truth and virtue, gracefully guiding a powerful British lion.

The composition was groundbreaking. It marked the first time a British monarch had been portrayed as a fictional character on a coin, blending royal portraiture with classical literature and artistic symbolism.

Queen Victoria was just 20 years old when the original design was created, early in what would become one of the longest reigns in British history.

What makes Una and the Lion remarkable is Wyon's ability to combine intricate engraving with an elegant, balanced composition. The flowing robes, detailed lion, and subtle expressions demonstrate the exceptional craftsmanship that established Wyon as one of Britain's greatest coin engravers.

Today, collectors frequently compare Una and the Lion to America's famous Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, another design celebrated for its artistic beauty and enduring appeal.

Why Are Una and the Lion Coins So Sought After?

Few historic coin designs have maintained the collector recognition of Una and the Lion for nearly 200 years.

Several characteristics contribute to its enduring popularity:

• Historic Significance: First created in 1839, Una and the Lion represents a landmark achievement in British coin design.
• Exceptional Artistic Quality: William Wyon's intricate engraving and classical composition are widely regarded as among the finest examples of nineteenth-century numismatic artistry.
• Rarity of Original Coins: Surviving original 1839 gold examples are scarce, with exceptional specimens achieving six-figure auction prices.
• Strong Collector Recognition: The design has attracted generations of collectors and remains one of The Royal Mint's most recognizable historic compositions.
• Modern Collector Demand: The Royal Mint's 2019 Una and the Lion proof tribute sold out rapidly, demonstrating continued interest in the historic design.

For decades, collectors seeking Una and the Lion coins generally had to pursue rare nineteenth-century originals or limited modern proof editions, often carrying substantial premiums above their precious metal content.

The 2027 bullion release changes that, making this celebrated design accessible to a much broader audience of gold and silver buyers.

For the First Time: Una and the Lion in Gold and Silver Bullion Coins

Una and the Lion collection represents a significant milestone in The Royal Mint's history.

For the first time, William Wyon's legendary design is being struck as a bullion coin, bringing one of Britain's most admired numismatic masterpieces into a format designed for precious metals ownership.

Unlike rare original coins or limited-edition proofs, bullion coins are generally priced closer to the market value of their precious metal content, plus a manufacturing and dealer premium.

This provides an opportunity for buyers who appreciate the design's history and beauty to acquire it without the high collectible premiums typically associated with historic examples.

The collection includes:

2027 1 oz Gold Una and the Lion Bullion Coin

The flagship gold release brings Wyon's celebrated 1839 composition to a full-ounce gold bullion coin. It combines the appeal of physical gold ownership with one of the most admired designs in British coinage.

2027 1/10 oz Gold Una and the Lion Bullion Coin

The fractional gold edition offers a more accessible entry point for collectors and gold buyers who want to own the historic design in a smaller denomination.

2027 1 oz Silver Una and the Lion Bullion Coin

The one-ounce silver edition makes the legendary composition available to a wider audience. For silver stackers and collectors, it offers a way to acquire a beautifully designed Royal Mint bullion coin at a substantially lower cost than the gold editions.

2027 Una and the Lion NGC MS-70 First Strike Editions

For collectors seeking additional numismatic distinction, SD Bullion also offers special NGC-certified editions of the 1 oz gold and 1 oz silver coins.

These editions feature:

• Professional authentication and grading by Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC).
• An MS-70 grade, indicating a coin with no post-production imperfections visible at 5x magnification.
• A First Strike designation.
• A special certified label signed by Gordon Summers, Chief Engraver of The Royal Mint, who has more than 30 years of experience at the institution.

These certified editions connect William Wyon's historic craftsmanship with the artistry of The Royal Mint's modern engraving tradition.

Buy 2027 Una and the Lion Bullion Coins Exclusively at SD Bullion

SD Bullion is proud to partner with The Royal Mint as the exclusive U.S. retailer of the first Una and the Lion bullion coin collection.

As the top independent U.S. precious metals dealer and a U.S. Mint Authorized Purchaser of gold bullion, SD Bullion maintains direct relationships with major sovereign and private mints around the world.

Our commitment is to bring customers exceptional gold and silver products at competitive premiums, including exclusive releases that combine historic artistry with modern bullion craftsmanship.

Whether you're a longtime collector who has admired William Wyon's masterpiece for decades or a precious metals buyer discovering Una and the Lion for the first time, the 2027 collection offers a new way to own one of the most celebrated designs in coin history.

Own The Royal Mint's legendary masterpiece in gold or silver bullion. Shop the exclusive 2027 Una and the Lion collection at SD Bullion today.