Yale of Beaufort continues the Royal Mint’s journey through Henry VIII’s ‘Tudor Beasts’, a show of love to Jane Seymour
It’s time for the next in the Tudor Beasts series, the flagship sequel to the Royal Mint’s much-loved ‘Queen’s Beasts’ series, which debuted last year with the ‘Seymour Panther’ in proof form. This is to be a ten-coin, five-year series, with accompanying bullion versions to sit alongside the various proof coins. Today’s new release is the third of the ten in proof form, but only the second in bullion, as the first issue was proof only. We predict the missing bullion design, the Seymour Panther, will be the last to appear, but appear it will.
The Yale of Beaufort, like the Lion of England, has also appeared in Jody Clark’s ‘Queen’s Beasts’ series, but David Lawrence has an artistic style that’s quite different. I have to say, this one is quite excellent. It must be hard to make a mythical, spotted, goat-hybrid look good on a heraldic piece, but he’s certainly managed it with aplomb. The ten-ounce silver bullion variant is especially cool, although the fewer border inscriptions of the proof coins are much better, we think. The obverse consists of the usual Royal Mint effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, and the issue inscriptions. All proof coins are boxed, but the images lower down are from the Panther issue, as the press pack had none for the Yale. It will be the same.
A few changes to mintages (those below are for the Limited Edition Presentations available at launch, but are generally close to the total mintages), and to prices, but nothing major, and to be expected in the current climate. To note, we don’t believe the 2oz silver proof mintage in the press release is correct, and think it’s a typo that should read 2,500 (not 12,500). Likewise, we got images of the 10oz silver bullion coin, but nothing in the press specifications, but that’s probably an oversight. We will amend when we confirm, but bear it in mind. However, overall, a superb release again, and confirmation the series is safe in David Lawrence’s hands. The proof range should be available later today, and the bullion anytime now.
PRESS RELEASE
The Royal Mint, the official maker of UK coins, in collaboration with Historic Royal Palaces – the independent charity that cares for six sites including Hampton Court Palace – has today unveiled the Yale of Beaufort as the next coin in its collectable and bullion range celebrating The Royal Tudor Beasts. The collection was first unveiled at Hampton Court Palace in October last year – where the original Royal Beasts still welcome visitors today.
Released over five years, The Royal Tudor Beasts collection allows customers to build their very own collection celebrating ten Royal Beasts chosen by King Henry VIII to line the Moat Bridge of Hampton Court Palace. The Yale of Beaufort is a mythical creature which has the body of an antelope, tail of a lion and tusks of a boar, with all characteristics of this beast captured as part of the coin’s design.
Andrew Dickey, Divisional Director of Precious Metals at The Royal Mint said: “Featuring impressive designs, The Royal Tudor Beasts bullion coin series is an opportunity for investors across the world to invest in gold, silver or platinum while also admiring the design and craftsmanship of each coin as their collection grows. Bullion coins are renowned for their value, tradability and liquidity, and we are delighted to also be able to offer an aesthetic value to someone investing in our precious metals.”
Rebecca Morgan, Director of Collector Services at The Royal Mint, said: “We are delighted to launch the Yale of Beaufort as the next coin in our collectable coin range celebrating The Royal Tudor Beasts. Produced in collaboration with Historic Royal Palaces, these coins are already becoming a modern classic, inspired by the history of Hampton Court Palace. The Yale of Beaufort, coin design captures the unique characteristics of this mythical beast in great detail, bringing the creature to life on collectable coins.”
Jenny Smyth, Licensing Manager at Historic Royal Palaces, commented: “We are thrilled to launch the next commemorative coin and bullion range within the Royal Tudor Beasts Collection. The Yale of Beaufort is an awe-inspiring beast, with an interesting provenance which, yet again, The Royal Mint have brought to life – helping to share the stories of the beasts and the palaces with new audiences.”
Designed by artist David Lawrence, each coin design, including the Yale of Beaufort, is a unique balance of the naturalistic elements of the creatures with a stylised, heraldic depiction incorporated into the design.
On choosing the Yale as a Royal Beast, Henry VIII sought to add credibility to his position on the throne by emphasising his family connection to the powerful Beaufort family. Known as a Beaufort beast ever since, it appears on the Moat Bridge as a Royal Beast for Jane Seymour, supporting a shield featuring her Coat of Augmentation. As Queen, Jane had no direct link to Beaufort heraldry herself, it is likely that Henry VIII transferred the Yale of Beaufort to his new wife.
PROOF SPECIFICATION
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | WEIGHT | DIAMETER | LEP MINTAGE | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £2 UKP | 0.999 SILVER | 31.21 g | 38.61 mm | 5,000 | £105.00 |
| £5 UKP | 0.999 SILVER | 62.42 g | 40.00 mm | 12,500 | £185.00 |
| £10 UKP | 0.999 SILVER | 156.295 g | 65.00 mm | 300 | £465.00 |
| £10 UKP | 0.999 SILVER | 312.59 g | 65.00 mm | 100 | £885.00 |
| £500 UKP | 0.999 SILVER | 1’005.00 g | 100.00 mm | 70 | £2,330.00 |
| £1,000 UKP | 0.999 SILVER | 2,010.00 g | 100.00 mm | 0 (TBC) | |
| £25 UKP | 0.9999 GOLD | 7.80 g | 22.0 mm | 750 | £670.00 |
| £100 UKP | 0.9999 GOLD | 31.21 g | 32.69 mm | 400 | £2,625.00 |
| £200 UKP | 0.9999 GOLD | 62.42 g | 40.00 mm | 100 | £5,010.00 |
| £500 UKP | 0.9999 GOLD | 156.295 g | 50.00 mm | 70 | £12,015.00 |
| £500 UKP | 0.999 GOLD | 312.521 g | 65.00 mm | 0 (TBC) | |
| £1,000 UKP | 0.999 GOLD | 1005.00 g | 100.00 mm | 0 (TBC) | |
| £2,000 UKP | 0.999 GOLD | 2010.00 g | 150.00 mm | 1 | £158,650.00 |
BULLION SPECIFICATION
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | WEIGHT | DIAMETER |
|---|---|---|---|
| £5 UKP | 0.999 SILVER | 62.42 g | 38.61 mm |
| £10 UKP | 0.999 SILVER | 311.035 g | 85.00 mm |
| £25 UKP | 0.9999 GOLD | 7.80 g | 22.00 mm |
| £100 UKP | 0.9999 GOLD | 32.69 g | 31.21 mm |
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