2017-09-12 Tue

The finest example of the famous 1839 Victoria gold “Una and the Lion” Five Pounds was graded recently by NGC as PF 65 Ultra Cameo. Baldwin’s of St. James’s is going to offer this coin at the Premier Coinex Auction on 22nd September in London.

The obverse features a bust of Queen Victoria. Both the reverse and obverse has been designed by Chief Engraver of the Royal Mint William Wyon. Other inscriptions on the obverse include a Latin legend VICTORIA D: G: BRITANNIARUM REGINA F: D: which translates to “Victoria by the Grace of God, Queen of the British territories, Defender of the Faith.”

The reverse depicts Queen Victoria as Lady Una who is a character from Edmund Spenser’s 1590 poem The Faerie Queene. She is shown controlling a lion with a scepter in her right hand and a cross-bearing orb in her left. Other inscriptions on the reverse include the Latin legend DIRIGE DEUS GRESSUS MEOS, which translates to “May the Lord direct my steps”.

Only 400 such coins were produced to commemorate the beginning of Queen Victoria’s reign two years earlier. The coin is extremely rare and is also in superb condition, making it highly valuable.