Introduction: A Royal Legacy Minted in Gold
Queens beasts gold coin series from The Royal Mint celebrates ten heraldic creatures that stood guard at Queen Elizabeth II's 1953 coronation. Each coin features .9999 fine gold and showcases the work of designer Jody Clark, who created both the reverse designs and the fifth portrait of the Queen that appears on the obverse.
Quick Overview:
- Series Duration: 2016–2021 (10 individual beast designs + 1 Completer Coin)
- Gold Purity: .9999 fine gold
- Common Sizes: 1/4 oz, 1 oz (bullion); fractional to 10 kg (proof)
- Designer: Jody Clark (Royal Mint)
- Investment Appeal: Government-backed legal tender with both intrinsic gold value and numismatic collector premiums
- Historical Connection: Represents the genealogy and heraldic ancestry of Queen Elizabeth II through the Tudor dynasty and beyond
The ten beasts—Lion of England, Griffin of Edward III, Red Dragon of Wales, Black Bull of Clarence, Unicorn of Scotland, Yale of Beaufort, Falcon of the Plantagenets, White Lion of Mortimer, White Horse of Hanover, and White Greyhound of Richmond—each carry centuries of royal symbolism. The series concluded with a unique Completer Coin that features all ten creatures surrounding the Queen's effigy, including historic 2 kg and 10 kg gold editions.
For investors, these coins offer a compelling blend of heritage and hard asset protection. Unlike generic gold bars, a queens beasts gold coin carries official legal tender status backed by the United Kingdom, adding an extra layer of authenticity and fraud protection. Whether you're drawn to the artistry, the historical depth, or the portfolio diversification that physical gold provides, this series delivers on all fronts.
I'm Eric Roach, and during my decade advising Fortune 500 clients on hedging strategies and balance-sheet risk, I learned how institutions use precious metals to weather volatility—the same approach I now bring to individual investors exploring the queens beasts gold coin series. My work with Summit Metals helps clients build resilient portfolios through transparent pricing, authenticated products, and dollar-cost averaging tools like Autoinvest.
The Royal History Behind the Queen's Beasts
At Queen Elizabeth II's 1953 coronation, ten six-foot-tall heraldic statues guarded Westminster Abbey. These weren't mere decorations; they were a living genealogy carved in plaster, each beast representing a branch of the Queen's ancestry, from the Tudor dynasty and beyond.
Sculptor James Arthur Woodford created these majestic figures for the British Ministry of Works. The Lion of England stood for courage, the Unicorn of Scotland for the union of crowns, and the Red Dragon of Wales for lineage tracing back to Owen Tudor. Each creature told a chapter of the story leading to Elizabeth's throne.
The original plaster statues were not weatherproof and are now preserved at the Canadian Museum of History in Quebec. Permanent Portland stone replicas, carved by Woodford's assistant, stand guard today at the UK's Kew Gardens.
The connection to the Tudor dynasty is strong. The Yale of Beaufort came from Lady Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII, while the White Greyhound of Richmond was Henry VII's own badge. These were not abstract symbols but actual emblems used by Tudor monarchs.
In 2016, The Royal Mint revived these historic beasts for a new gold coin series, allowing investors and collectors to hold a piece of coronation history. When you collect a queens beasts gold coin, you're not just buying bullion—you're preserving the same royal lineage that Woodford carved in 1953.
You can read more about how The Queen's Beasts are brought to life in a new bullion coin range directly from The Royal Mint's archives.
A Guide to the Queen's Beasts Gold Coin Series
The queens beasts gold coin series, which ran from 2016 to 2021, is a celebrated collection from The Royal Mint. The entire series was designed by Jody Clark, who created both the ten reverse beast designs and the fifth official portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse.
The series unfolded with two releases per year, beginning with the Lion of England in 2016 and concluding with the White Greyhound of Richmond in 2021. A final Completer Coin was released as a grand finale, bringing the total number of unique designs to eleven.
The Symbolism of Each Heraldic Beast
Each queens beasts gold coin is packed with meaning, representing a specific branch of Queen Elizabeth II's family tree.
- The Lion of England: Represents courage and English heritage, dating back to Richard the Lionheart. The coin shows the Lion supporting a shield with the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom.
- The Griffin of Edward III: A mythical guardian (part lion, part eagle) symbolizing vigilance and strength. It was a personal emblem of King Edward III and holds a shield showing the Round Tower of Windsor Castle.
- The Red Dragon of Wales: Represents fierce Welsh ancestry, linked to rulers like Owen Tudor. It supports a shield with the arms of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the last independent Prince of Wales.
- The Black Bull of Clarence: Symbolizes the power and wealth of the House of York, descended to the Queen through Edward IV. Its shield bears the Royal Arms as used by Edward IV and Richard III.
- The Unicorn of Scotland: Represents purity and power, supporting the Scottish Royal Arms since the 16th century. The coin shows the chained Unicorn, symbolizing tamed wildness, supporting the Royal Arms of Scotland.
- The Yale of Beaufort: A mythical beast with an antelope's body and swiveling horns, representing Lady Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII. It supports a shield showing a crowned portcullis, a badge used by Henry VII.
- The Falcon of the Plantagenets: A symbol of ambition and swiftness first used by Edward III. The coin shows the falcon with an open fetterlock, referencing Edward IV's struggle for the throne.
- The White Lion of Mortimer: Represents loyalty and discipline from the Queen's Yorkist heritage. This uncrowned lion supports a shield with the white rose of York and golden sun rays, a badge of Edward IV.
- The White Horse of Hanover: Brought to Britain by George I from Hanover in 1714. The horse supports a shield with the Arms of Hanover, reflecting the new dynastic era.
- The White Greyhound of Richmond: Symbolizes the union of the Houses of York and Lancaster, marking the end of the Wars of the Roses. Associated with Henry VII, its shield displays the Tudor double rose, a symbol of peace.
The Unique "Completer Coin"
Released in April 2021, the Completer Coin is the grand finale of the series. It features all ten Queen's Beasts in a circular design around the Queen's portrait, celebrating the collection's rich royal history.
The coin was released in various formats, including massive Masterwork editions. The 10 kg gold version became the largest coin ever made by The Royal Mint in its 1,100-year history, requiring 400 hours of production. While its face value is £10,000, its intrinsic gold and numismatic value are far greater, embodying the series' blend of artistry, history, and tangible worth.
If you're curious, The Royal Mint unveils its largest coin in its 1,100-year history offers a fascinating look at its creation.
Investing in the Queens Beasts Gold Coin Collection
A queens beasts gold coin is more than just .9999 fine gold. It's a piece of British royal history. While its intrinsic value tracks the gold spot price, making it a solid wealth preservation tool, its full value comes from unique features that generic gold bars lack.
Many investors weigh gold coins against gold bars. While both offer exposure to physical gold, government-backed coins like the Queen's Beasts series provide distinct advantages, particularly in security and value potential.
| Feature | Gold Coin (e.g., Queen's Beast) | Generic Gold Bar |
|---|---|---|
| Government Backing | Legal tender status guaranteed by a sovereign mint (e.g., UK Royal Mint). | Privately minted; backing depends on the refiner's reputation. |
| Counterfeit Protection | High. Face value makes counterfeiting a serious crime. Intricate designs and security features are hard to replicate. | Lower. Relies on assays and dealer verification. Less complex designs can be easier to fake. |
| Numismatic Value | Yes. Limited mintages, historical significance, and artistry can create collector premiums above gold value. | No. Value is tied almost exclusively to gold spot price. |
| Liquidity | Very high. Globally recognized and easily traded by dealers and collectors. | High, but may require re-assaying. Some buyers prefer government-minted coins. |
| Best For | Investors seeking both gold exposure and potential numismatic appreciation. | Investors focused purely on accumulating gold weight at the lowest possible premium. |
Bullion vs. Proof: What's the Difference for an Investor?
When buying a queens beasts gold coin, you'll choose between bullion and proof versions. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize pure gold accumulation or numismatic potential.
| Feature | Bullion Version | Proof Version |
|---|---|---|
| Finish | Brilliant, lustrous | Mirror-like, frosted details |
| Mintage | Minted to demand | Strictly limited |
| Premium | Lower over spot | Significantly higher |
| Best For | Pure gold investment | Collectors, numismatic value |
| Packaging | Tubes or flips | Display box with COA |
Bullion coins are the workhorses of precious metals investing, struck to meet demand with premiums closer to spot price. Proof coins are carefully crafted in limited quantities, featuring stunning finishes that appeal to collectors and carry higher numismatic potential.
Why a Queens Beasts Gold Coin Can Be a Smart Investment
As the table above shows, the legal tender status of a queens beasts gold coin is a powerful guarantee of authenticity. This backing provides counterfeit protection that bars don't have. When you buy from trusted dealers like Summit Metals, you're getting coins with built-in fraud protection and global recognition.
For methodical investing, dollar-cost averaging removes emotion by investing a fixed amount at regular intervals. This strategy averages your purchase price over time, smoothing out volatility. Summit Metals' Autoinvest feature automates this process for physical precious metals, much like a 401(k). You can set up recurring monthly purchases of queens beasts gold coins to build your holdings consistently and without guesswork. It's a disciplined approach to growing your investment. Learn more about our Autopays subscription service and see how easy it is to start.
For deeper insights into gold investing strategies, explore our guide on buying gold.
Key Specifications and Features
Every queens beasts gold coin is crafted with exceptional attention to detail, ensuring each piece is both beautiful and secure. Understanding these specifications helps you appreciate the value of your investment.
Common Features of a Queens Beasts Gold Coin
All coins in the queens beasts gold coin series share common features. The obverse features Jody Clark's fifth portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, wearing the George IV State Diadem. Clark also designed all ten reverse beast designs.
The obverse includes the inscription "ELIZABETH II • D • G • REG • F • D •" and the coin's face value (e.g., £100 for 1 oz). This denotes its legal tender status. The Latin stands for "By the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith."
The reverse showcases the heraldic beast, the coin's weight, "FINE GOLD," the "9999" purity mark, and the year of minting.
A key anti-counterfeiting feature is the textured security background on the reverse. Later releases feature an intricate pattern of lines, while earlier coins have a stucco-like finish. These textures are extremely difficult to replicate, enhancing the coin's security.
Available Sizes and Mintage Figures
The Queen's Beasts series was released in both bullion and proof versions to suit different investor and collector goals.
Gold Bullion Coins:
- Purpose: Ideal for pure gold investment, with lower premiums over spot price.
- Common Sizes: 1 oz (£100 face value) and 1/4 oz (£25 face value). The 1/4 oz size is excellent for dollar-cost averaging with programs like Summit Metals' Autoinvest.
- Mintage: Minted to meet market demand, so production numbers vary by release.
Gold Proof Coins:
- Purpose: Aimed at collectors, with higher numismatic value due to rarity and superior finish.
- Common Sizes: A wide range from fractional (1/4 oz) up to massive kilo (1 kg) and multi-kilo coins.
- Mintage: Strictly limited, with some editions having as few as 10 pieces worldwide. This rarity drives their high collector premiums.
The series culminated with the Completer Coin, which included historic 2 kg and 10 kg gold proof masterworks, showcasing the pinnacle of The Royal Mint's craftsmanship.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Queen's Beasts Series
Before investing, it's helpful to have clear answers to the most common questions about the Queen's Beasts series.
How many coins are in the Queen's Beasts series?
The series consists of ten individual beast designs released between 2016 and 2021. A final Completer Coin, featuring all ten beasts, was also released, bringing the total number of unique designs in the full collection to eleven.
Are Queen's Beasts gold coins a good investment?
Yes, queens beasts gold coins can be an excellent investment. They offer a dual value proposition:
- Intrinsic Gold Value: Each coin is .9999 pure gold, so its value is tied to the global gold price, making it a hedge against inflation.
- Numismatic Potential: Limited mintages (especially for proofs), historical significance, and Jody Clark's acclaimed designs create strong collector demand. This can lead to premiums that appreciate independently of the gold price.
Their status as government-backed legal tender also adds a layer of security and trust. This combination of wealth preservation and collector appeal makes them a strong choice for a diversified portfolio, especially when using a disciplined strategy like dollar-cost averaging with Summit Metals' Autoinvest.
What is the difference between the Queen's Beasts and Tudor Beasts series?
The Queen's Beasts series (2016-2021) is based on the ten heraldic statues from Queen Elizabeth II's 1953 coronation, representing the full scope of her royal ancestry. In contrast, the Tudor Beasts series (launched in 2022) focuses specifically on the heraldry of the Tudor dynasty (e.g., Henry VII and Henry VIII). While both are Royal Mint collections celebrating British heraldry, the Queen's Beasts series covers a broader genealogical history tied to Queen Elizabeth II's coronation.
How to Start Your Collection
The queens beasts gold coin series offers a rare combination of royal history, artistic beauty, and investment-grade gold. Whether you're a collector captivated by the heraldic designs or an investor seeking to diversify with a hard asset, these coins deliver significant value.
At Summit Metals, we make starting your collection simple and secure. We offer:
- Authenticated Products: Every queens beasts gold coin we sell is genuine and verified.
- Transparent Pricing: Our real-time pricing has no hidden fees, and our bulk purchasing power means competitive rates for you.
- Strategic Investing Tools: Build your holdings over time with our Autoinvest feature. It automates monthly purchases, allowing you to use dollar-cost averaging to grow your physical gold position steadily, just like a 401(k).
Ready to begin?
- Browse our collection of Queen's Beasts gold coins today.
- Build your position gradually with our Autopays subscription service.
- Learn more about gold investing with our comprehensive guide on buying gold.
Start your collection with confidence. At Summit Metals, we're here to help you secure your financial future with assets that have stood the test of time. Your first Queen's Beast is waiting.
