Before we had cryptography, secure post, or electronic communications, we had seals. Carved into a solid material, originally stone, but later moving to semi-precious materials like jade and ivory, wood, or even gold and silver (perhaps in ring form), they were most commonly incused into the material, so that when it was pressed into wax (or paper, or clay, for example), it would leave a high-relief impression. They were used all over the world to authenticate documents, and remain one of the most important forms of historical evidence in many civilisations. The study of seals is known as sigillography.

The British monarchy has been using them for centuries, well over a millennium in fact, and institutions like the British Museum, the National Archives (which alone holds a collection of over 250,000 of them dating from the 11th century) and others, hold hugely important collections from, not only the UK, but all around the world. Using those collections, even if limited to just those from the British Isles, is an inspired idea for a modern collection of precious metal medallions.

For the first issue, the Royal Mint is dipping into its own museum’s holdings, and have brought the seal of the notorious monarch, Henry VIII, to modern numismatics. Henry, winner of Husband of the Year for two decades straight, had several Great Seals during his long reign, and the mint is using one created for the 1527 Treaty of Amiens, where peace was signed with Francis I, King of France. This was used as the basis for the 3rd Great Seal of 1542.

The reverse face depicts Henry VIII, seated upon a Renaissance throne, carrying the royal regalia, and with the Tudor Rose at the bottom. A partial Latin inscription is present, that on the left, FIDEI DEFENSOR, meaning ‘Defender of the Faith’. The obverse depicts another inscription around the border, inside which is a heraldic shield, topped by a crown, circled by Tudor Roses. This seal was unusual in that others of Henry VIII carried a mounted monarch on this face.

The medallion comes very well presented, with a full backstory to the seal included within, along with a Certificate of Authenticity. As these are not coins, they do not carry a denomination. The range consists of a pair of silver variants (1 oz and 2 oz), as well as a trio of gold (1 oz, 2 oz, and ¼ oz). It’s pleasing to see the lower end being catered to for a change, as we’ve missed out on some fine Royal Mint releases of late because of a focus on bigger versions, usually out of the reach of the average collector. These are too nice for that, and there’s also a base metal version for £24.50. All have a fully frosted proof finish.

For me, a quite outstanding release, drawing inspiration from a fascinating field of history, and with countless opportunities for future issues. The National Archives holds one of Richard the Lionheart’s seals, and there are examples of William the Conqueror, and legions of others in major collections. The British Museum has one of just five examples of pre-Norman seals, the seal of an Anglo-Saxon nobleman, Wulfric Spot. A particularly beautiful one is that of Queen Elizabeth I, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see it join this one. Available to order later today direct from the Royal Mint.