Unicorn latest beast coin

Britain’s Royal Mint has released its latest Queen’s Beast: the Unicorn of Scotland. As with the four earlier coins in this series, the legendary cloven-hoofed horse with a horn is…

The common reverse of Britain’s new Queen’s Beast coins showing Scotland’s Unicorn – with its cloven hooves. (Image courtesy & © The Royal Mint)

Britain’s Royal Mint has released its latest Queen’s Beast: the Unicorn of Scotland. As with the four earlier coins in this series, the legendary cloven-hoofed horse with a horn is available as gold and silver proofs as well as a first: a BU cupronickel version.

The .9999 fine (24 karat) gold proofs consist of a 50.00 mm, 156.295 g £500 (mintage 85) and a 22.00 mm, 7.80 g £25 (1,500).

Four .999 fine silver proofs that include a 100 mm, 1005.00 g £500 (225), a 65.00 mm, 313.00 g £10 (850), a 65.00 mm, 156.295 g .999 fine silver £10 (750), and a 38.61 mm, 31.21 g .999 fine silver £2 (6,250).

The cupronickel £5 is struck on a 38.61 mm, 28.28 g flan.

Once again the reverse design is by Jody Clark who commented at the release: “I was interested to find that there are certain rules to bear in mind – for example the unicorn always has a cloven hoof. I wanted to add some movement to my design, and for the unicorn to be doing more than just supporting the shield. I showed the beast leaping over the shield a little, and there is movement in the chain, making the design more dynamic.”

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