Tudor Beasts adds its eighth of ten designs with the arrival of the Greyhound of Richmond in gold and silver proof form

Tudor Beasts returns today with the eighth of ten designs in this classic heraldic series of coins from the Royal Mint. Designed by David Lawrence, they’re based on statues (King’s Beasts) that adorn the Moat Bridge at Hampton Court Palace, a beautiful building put up by Cardinal Thomas Wolseley from 1514, and gifted to Henry VIII as a sign of allegiance. Similar in concept to the popular Queen’s Beasts range that preceded it, one designed by Jody Clark.

The Greyhound of Richmond is the latest issue, and the use of the greyhound originated from Edward III, and the House of Lancaster. It was adopted by Henry VIII’s grandfather, Edmund Tudor, Earl of Richmond, where it picked up the moniker “White Greyhound of Richmond”. It’s inclusion into the King’s Beasts is another example of Henry VIII’s use of heraldic imagery to make sure everyone was aware of his birthright and legitimacy, something extremely important in a period when claims to the throne were always feared.

It’s another fine design, with the hyper-alert dog sitting down, and its paw on top of a shield bearing the three lions of England in passant guardant pose. The shield is one used for jousting, and you can see the rounded notch in the top corner where a lance would be rested for the charge. Overall, a coin that fits in with the earlier releases perfectly.

The range of four gold and five silver formats returns, although we have noted a reduction in the mintages of many of them, no doubt a consequence of rising prices of gold and silver in recent months. The terrific two-coin silver set with the frosted finish variant returns. The silver range runs from £115 to £1,095, while gold starts at £865, rapidly heading up to £15,495. Coin collecting is getting expensive! All are boxed with a CoA, and available to order now. Bullion variants should be with us soon. Check out the full range in our Coin Series Profile.