The Royal Mint’s superb Queen’s Beasts series ends its proof range with the release of the Griffin of Edward III

It’s been an epic journey, but today, the Royal Mint wraps up its proof range of Queen’s Beasts coins. The bullion range has already come to its natural ten-coin conclusion, with, strangely enough, the Griffin of Edward II featured here launching in 2017. In general, the bullion and proof ranges have shadowed each other, but no proof version of the Griffin came until today. Whatever the reason, it’s here now.

We’ve been on record as saying this was one of our favourite designs of the series and nothing has changed that view. There’s little that screams heraldry more than an eagle-headed lion and Jody Clark did a phenomenal job with this one. A crisp, elegant design in a series full of them, we think The Queen’s Beasts will go down as one of the finest coin series of the period.

The same range of sizes as before, but with some changes to mintages. Pretty much all the gold variants have had their mintage raised, although the series has hardly been known for consistency on that score. Prices range from £13 for the base metal version, up to over £65,000 for the kilo gold, so if you love the design, there’s an offering that will fit your budget. Available from today. If you’re buying, please use our banner link at the bottom of this article and we’ll get a small kickback at no cost to you. Thank you.

PRESS RELEASE

The Royal Mint, the original maker of UK coins, has today unleashed the Griffin of Edward III onto a commemorative coin as the final heraldic beast that forms part of the Queen’s Beasts collection.

Chosen as one of the ten ancestral beasts that lined the entrance to Westminster Abbey at Her Majesty The Queen’s coronation, the Griffin of Edward III has been reimagined for modern times by designer Jody Clark.

Each coin design that forms part of the Queen’s Beasts collection is a combination of heraldic symbolism and dynamic realism. Using this skilful blend, the coin’s design successfully portrays the power and courage of the mythical creature that is the Griffin, ensuring the design of the coin is in keeping with the other beasts that form part of the commemorative coin collection.

Clare Maclennan, Divisional Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint said: “Today we unveil the final beast as part of The Royal Mint’s Queen’s Beasts collection – The Griffin of Edward III. The Royal Mint’s Queen’s Beasts commemorative coin collection combines a skilful blend of design and craftsmanship with symbolism and dynamic realism to bring to life the ten ancestral beasts that lined the entrance to Westminster Abbey at Her Majesty The Queen’s coronation. The Royal Mint’s Queen’s Beasts commemorative coin collection has grown in popularity since the first beast was introduced in 2017 and has become a firm favourite amongst coin collectors across the globe.”

Known as a treasure guardian and a talisman to ward off evil, the griffin appeared in English heraldry from the twelfth century onwards and first entered royal service as a beast of Edward III. The griffin continued as a royal emblem after Edward III’s death in 1377 – Richard II used it on plate and jewellery – before falling out of favour after 1400. Although a portrait of Henry VI from circa 1458 shows two griffin supporters to his coat of arms.