This installment of the World Coin of the week offers an especially fantastic item. In the upcoming Stack's Bowers Galleries January 2017 New York International Auction we have an iconic "Una and the Lion" Proof set. Rightly considered among the most spectacular English coin designs, the Una and the Lion Pattern 5 Pound by itself would warrant a feature here. In our January auction, however, this piece is not alone; it is accompanied by all denominations from the Farthing to the Sovereign, including the Maundy set. The set has clearly been together since it was issued, likely stored in the original box for much of that time as indicated by the nicely matched patinas. Though the box is no longer present, the coins have been handled carefully over the years. All the pieces are housed in slightly older generation NGC holders, with serial numbers that indicate the originality of this complete set. All were clearly submitted for grading at the same time.

The powerhouse of this group, the Una and the Lion 5 Pound, is known for its expressive and wonderfully detailed reverse design by William Wyon, chief engraver of the Royal Mint. His exceptional talent is evident with the stately Queen Victoria, as Una, in full coronation regalia holding a globus cruciger in one hand and a scepter horizontally over a massive lion in the other. This scene alludes to the mythical Una, the young daughter of a knight. The story goes that while Una was walking alone in the woods she was set upon by a ravenous lion. Instead of devouring her as a hapless victim the lion was overcome by her beauty and became her companion instead. The lion, a clear symbol of British strength, is used to show that though the ascending monarch was a young woman, she should be taken seriously.

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Iconic "Una and the Lion" Proof Set(www.stacksbowers.com/News/Pages/Blogs.aspx?ArticleID=2355)