The White Horse of Hanover continues the Royal Mint’s popular trip through The Queen’s Beasts

There are few coin collectors that don’t look forward to the next release in the Royal Mint’s superb ‘The Queen’s Beasts’ coin range, whether it be the bullion variants, or the beautiful proof coins we’re looking at here. Now on its eighth proof release, although the bullion version will be the ninth, we’re very close to the end of this ten-coin series.

We’ve been through the backstory of the range several times before, so let’s jump straight to this latest entrant, the White Horse of Hanover. Technically the first true horse, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention there has been a unicorn in the series as well, given the fundamental similarity. Series designer Jody Clark has managed to make this one distinctly different with a classic semi-realistic, but heraldic-inspired depiction of a rearing horse.

The shield in the foreground features one of the many iterations of the House of Hanover’s coat of arms. Heraldry, particularly something as old and important as the one shown on this coin, is far too complex a subject to be encapsulated here, but suffice to say, it can trace its lineage back several centuries and every element on it, and there are more than usual on this one, has a meaning, or association. There are literally scores of variations, but basically, it represents the countries in the Union, as well as France, with whom Britain has a complex, intertwined history. From our perspective, it looks terrific, almost a microcosm of what this series is about.

The obverse is the usual Jody Clark effigy of Queen Elizabeth II – the Royal Mint never really making changes to this face of their coins. Each proof coin is boxed with a C.O.A., although there’s also an unlimited mintage base-metal variant mounted in a blister card which is packed with information. There have been some slight price rises on this one, but given the volatility in the metals spot price at the moment, they’re small and understandable. As usual, and despite only being available for a few hours, the big gold coins are already sold out, and the silver versions are rapidly disappearing as well. Hardly surprising given what a top flight series this has become.

PRESS RELEASE

The Royal Mint unleashes the White Horse of Hanover as the eighth coin in The Queen’s Beasts collection. The White Horse of Hanover is one of ten heraldic Beasts that form the Queen’s Beasts. Inspired by these ancient symbols of power and identity, the range brings to life the ten imposing statues that are part of an enduring legacy that define our ruling dynasties.

The White Horse is a beast with a long history, deeply rooted in Germany’s past and that of George I’s medieval ancestors. The first documented use of the horse comes from the seal of Albert I, Duke of Brunswich-Grubenhaben in 1361. Albert I was a member of the Guelph family, who provided many German monarchs, princes and dukes from the eleventh century onwards. From the mid-fourteenth century his kinsmen, rulers of other parts of Brunswick, also adopted the symbol.

Following the success of previous coins in the collection, the latest release features another original design by Royal Mint coin designer Jody Clark. Jody is best known for his ‘fifth portrait’ of The Queen seen on UK coinage series since 2015, but has also spent a great deal of time researching British heraldry to create his Queen’s Beasts designs.

Jody Clark says of his design, “Given its similarity to the unicorn, I was keen to give the horse a different pose to keep it distinct from its mythical relative. Unlike the unicorn, the White Horse faces to the right, as does Her Majesty The Queen on the obverse, signifying the royal ancestry and history of monarchy that it represents. I tried to give this horse a strong silhouette by posing the horse in profile, working hard to give the muscles a level of realism and look of strength befitting this magnificent heraldic beast.”