Myths and Legends at the Royal Mint continues with the wizard Merlin, the second in the Arthurian Legend subseries

Earlier this year, the Royal Mint’s Myths’s and Legends bullion coin series made a couple of big changes, moving from the legend of Robin Hood to the legend of Camelot for its next trilogy of releases, and also adding proof variants to the range. As well as the change in subject, we also got a change in artist, with Jody Clark moving aside for David Lawrence.

This second of three coins in the Camelot subset (the last will be Morgan le Fay), it features the wizard Merlin, a character as iconic today as Arthur himself. The look is very close to that of the first coin, with a realistic, if slightly vertically compressed look, the figure shown looking to the right with a prop in hand. It looks very good, and the look on the owl’s face is priceless. The ‘hexality’ visual effect and security feature from the bullion coin returns.

As for bullion coins, we’ve yet to see those, but they’re certainly coming, and we’ve added the bullion versions of the King Arthur coin below, so you can get an idea of the appearance. There are some changes to the border text, and the strike will obviously be less defined. While there were only one-ounce versions in gold and silver, the proof range encompasses two of each, all with relatively low mintages for the mint. There’s a cheaper base-metal coin in a gatefold package for the casual collector. All are available right now.

1 oz silver Britannia
1 oz silver Britannia obverse
1 oz silver Britannia obverse

PRESS RELEASE

The Royal Mint, official maker of UK coins, has launched the second commemorative coin in its Myths and Legends Collection, featuring Merlin. The Merlin commemorative coin is the second in the collection, which celebrates popular figures of Arthurian myth. The Myths and Legends Collectable Coin Collection follows after the popular bullion coin series.

One of the most recognisable figures in British mythology, Merlin is a timeless icon of Arthurian legend, the legendary sorcerer has been a ubiquitous character of lore since the Middle Ages. Boasting an enigmatic personality and extraordinary attributes, Merlin remains a favoured entity in literature, entertainment, and pop culture to this day.

Illustrator David Lawrence has expertly captured Merlin, depicting him holding a magic staff with an owl perched upon his shoulder. David Lawrence’s intricate design also details the island of Avalon in the background. The reverse design on the Commemorative coin is embellished with a frosted finish and hexurity feature, which enables light to reflect from the coin at different angles. Other coins in the collection include Merlin and Morgan le Fay. Dated 2023 the obverse features the official coinage portrait of His Majesty the King, created by Martin Jennings.

SILVER BULLION

1 oz gold Britannia

GOLD BULLION

1 oz gold Britannia

GOLD OBVERSE

1 oz silver Britannia obverse
SPECIFICATION
DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIAMETER FINISH MINTAGE
£2 UKP 31.21 g of 0.999 silver 38.61 mm Brilliant uncirculated Unlimited
£100 UKP 31.21 g of 0.9999 gold 32.69 mm Brilliant uncirculated Unlimited
£2 UKP 31.21 g of 0.999 silver 38.61 mm Proof 2,500
£5 UKP 62.86 g of 0.999 silver 400 mm Proof 500
£25 UKP 7.80 g of 0.9999 gold 22.0 mm Proof 600
£100 UKP 31.21 g of 0.9999 gold 32.69 mm Proof 200