The gold five-pound piece was created in 1839 to mark the beginning of Queen Victoria’s reign
If you’ve got a pile of cash collecting dust at home, you might want to give it a once-over. Specialists have shed light on the true value of one British coin – and it might make you a small fortune.
The gold five-pound piece was created in 1839 to mark the beginning of Queen Victoria’s reign just two years prior. While the Royal Mint claims it isn’t quite the rarest in the world, it’s often dubbed the ‘one of the most beautiful’, thanks to its intricate, unique design.
On one side, engraver William Wyon denoted a young head portrait of Queen Victoria, who was just 18 years old when she took the throne. But most notably, the reverse shows Her Majesty depicting ‘Princess Una’ walking alongside a maned lion.
Albeit unusual, this image is actually based on a 1590 poem called ‘The Faerie Queen’, with the lion believed to be a metaphor for something far greater. The London Mint Office explains: “The story can be found in Edmund Spenser’s epic and multi-layered poem ‘The Faerie Queene’ first published in 1590.
“Una, the personification of truth and virtue is protected from danger by a fearsome Lion who is captivated by her beautiful face. Widely considered one of the most beautiful British coins ever issued, the Chief Engraver took the bold step of depicting Queen Victoria as the innocent Una guiding the great lion, which represents England.”
Despite its beauty, it’s thought that no more than a few hundred ‘Una and the Lion’ coins were struck at the time. This is one reason why they are exceptionally valuable, with such a coin reportedly fetching £204,000 at a 2017 auction, according to Noonans Mayfair.
In 2023, another was also put up with a starting bid of £400,000, the Coin Cabinet reports, but did not sell. “The most famed of British coins in impeccable condition,” its description read at the time.
“To hold the coin close is to see yourself staring back. No wear and light handling marks as indicated by grade. Extremely rare and exceedingly sought after – 11 to 20 examples known.”
Although these values are quite promising, it’s crucial to note that a coin’s value can depend on its condition. Chris Yang, Co-founder of Coins Value, previously told the Daily Star: “Coins in perfect ‘mint’ condition are worth far more than their well-worn, damaged, and poor-condition counterparts.
“Sometimes a minor difference in grade translates to hundreds, maybe thousands in value.” Beyond this, he also added: “If the coin you own is highly important, the best practice is to hold on to it unless the need to raise money is urgent. The better issues of these important coins gain in value over time. The prices of these scarce coins are subject to some uncertainty based on alterations in the overall market and economy.
“When selling, shop around various dealers and obtain the best price. An auction house is considered to achieve the maximum value for really spectacular pieces. Be prepared to pay a 10-20% commission on the selling price.
“In sum, scrutinise your coins, have them identified and graded professionally, and work with experienced numismatists to determine the real value of your coins so that you can sell them for the best price.
“Remember, the thrill of coin collecting isn’t always about striking gold; it’s about connecting with history and uncovering hidden treasures. Your old coin jar might hold more than just spare change – it could be a portal to a fascinating past.”
