The popularity of the recently deceased British Queen Elizabeth II is also reflected in the numismatic world. The value of a fabled silver coin is expected to fetch a record at an upcoming auction.
A particularly rare silver coin will the late British Monarch virtually immortal, especially in the hearts of those who will be able to buy it at auction.
Collectible coins with the Queen's image have always been sought after, but this particular one seems to be more than that. The fact that such a rare coin with the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II was recently consigned to the Rapp auction house in Wil, in the canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland particularly moved owner Marianne Rapp Ohmann.
The coin «is a restrike of an exceptionally rare coin from 1839» she says, referring to a method by which a coin is struck using the original dies after the original ceased to be minted. The original Una and the Lion coin is a British five-pound gold coin depicting Queen Victoria and «is considered one of the most beautiful British coins ever minted,» Rapp Ohmann says.
A Princess and a Dragon
The legend about Princess Una is that she embarks on a quest to find her parents who are being held captive by a dragon. Along the way she meets a fierce lion who, charmed by her beauty, becomes her protector, according to a medieval poem, in which Una symbolizes the truth and faith of England's Church, Rapp Ohmann explains. The image of Una leading the lion was popularized during the reign of Queen Victoria.
In the engraving, Una is crowned - scepter in hand, directing the lion. The modern coin has the likeness of Elizabeth II on one side, and the reverse bears Una and the lion along with the Latin inscription «Dirge Deus Gressus Meos» or «May the Lord direct my steps.»
In 2019, the legendary coin's motif was once again taken up by the British mint, bringing the famous «Una and the Lion» coin into the modern era.
Original Minting
The extremely few original mintings, which are over 180 years old, are worth up to a million Swiss francs. Even the restrikes are rare: 3,000 pieces in silver, one of which will be auctioned off next year at the Rapp auction house, according to a query from finews.com.
The silver coins with Queen Elizabeth II had been issued in 2019 for the equivalent of around 250 francs. The popularity of the Queen and her death has driven demand once again, Rapp Ohmann explains: "The silver coin with the Queen today, just a few years after it was issued, already costs ten times as much, or around 2,500 francs."
As for the inscription, Rapp Ohmann thinks «it couldn't be more fitting given the Queen's long and eventful life.»
