The Royal Mint employs the talents of John Mercanti with The Lion and the Eagle, a nod to the US/UK relationship

We’ve all heard about the ‘Special Relationship’ that exists between the United States, and the United Kingdom, two nations, who over the last three centuries, have been amongst the most powerful in history. However close to reality that is, it remains a common belief, and will always have some grounding in realpolitik, especially in the world we’re all making for ourselves today.

The British Lion, and the American Eagle, have come to symbolise their respective nations, both widely used in heraldry, popular culture, and numismatics. It’s rare the two are seen together on the same coin, but the Royal Mint, one of the oldest organisations in the world, have employed John Mercanti, one of the US Mint’s most prolific artists, to create a celebration of the pairing.

Mercanti is no stranger to the eagle, having crafted not only the reverse of the American Silver Eagle bullion coin, but also multiple designs of the Wedge-tailed Eagle for the Perth Mint. The artwork he’s crafted leans more toward the heraldic than the natural, but there are elements of both, and it’s a fine design. We think the extended paw is perhaps unnecessary, but we’re really nit-picking. The coin is very clean and elegant.

The range includes four gold proof coins (1kg, 5oz, 2oz, 1oz), four silver proof coins (1kg, 5oz, 2oz, 1oz). There are no fractional gold variants for us peasants, which is a shame, but the silver range is a better balanced mix. No bullion coins have been announced, but it’s something we’d like to see, and there’s no base-metal release, either. All coins are boxed with a COA, and available to order now.

PRESS RELEASE: The Royal Mint has worked in partnership with John Mercanti, to launch a commemorative coin featuring the British Lion and the American Eagle, signifying a unique collaboration which combines expert American design with British minting excellence.

Two icons of numismatic art, the British Lion and American Eagle characterise the spirit of each nation. Richly historic and instantly recognisable, together they represent the shared values and enduring relationship between two countries which have traditionally stood shoulder-to-shoulder.

American artist, sculptor, and former Chief Engraver at the United States Mint (2006-2010), John Mercanti has worked to create the reverse design. Mercanti has combined more than 50 years of numismatic experience with his unique creative talent to create the symbolic reverse design which commemorates the enduring relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Ted Smetana, Chief Commercial Officer, GovMint.com said: “We are thrilled and honored to partner with the Royal Mint on the creation and development of this program and also be the exclusive distributor for The Lion and The Eagle Program.”

Rebecca Morgan, Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint said: “We are delighted to unveil the commemorative coin featuring the British Lion and American Eagle, two icons of coin design which are recognised worldwide. It has been a pleasure to work with John Mercanti, one of the most prolific coin designers in United States Mint history, with over 100 coin designs to his name. John’s reverse design skilfully brings the two icons together in one harmonious composition.”

In heraldry, a lion represents strength, courage, and nobility. Conveying these qualities, lions featured on the Coats of Arms of many powerful families in medieval Europe, including on the shields and standards of British kings and queens. Similarly, the bald eagle has been a national symbol of the United States since the eighteenth century. An icon of freedom and strength, its qualities match those of the country it represents – independence, determination, and a strong will to survive.

PROOF SPECIFICATION
DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS PRICE TOTAL MINTAGE
£1000 UKP 1005.0 g of 0.9999 gold 100.0 mm £77,565.00 7
£500 UKP 156.3 g of 0.9999 gold 50.0 mm £12,725.00 31
£200 UKP 62.42 g of 0.9999 gold 40.0 mm £5,305.00 46
£100 UKP 31.21 g of 0.9999 gold 32.69 mm £2,770.00 385
£500 UKP 1005.0 g of 0.999 silver 100.0 mm £2,442.50 77
£10 UKP 156.3 g of 0.999 silver 65.0 mm £485.00 806
£5 UKP 62.86 g of 0.999 silver 40.0 mm £192.50 2,006
£2 UKP 31.21 g of 0.999 silver 38.61 mm £102.50 4,510

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