The Queen’s Beasts series was introduced by the Royal Mint in 2016 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s long and illustrious reign. The series pays homage to the rich heraldic history of the British monarchy and draws inspiration from the ten statues that lined the entrance to Westminster Abbey during the Queen’s coronation in 1953.

Importance: This series is significant for several reasons:

1. It showcases the evolution of British royal heraldry over the centuries.
2. It commemorates Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, one of the longest in British history.
3. The series has become highly collectible, appealing to both numismatists and investors.
4. It has helped introduce a new generation to coin collecting and British history.

Designer: The entire series was designed by Jody Clark, a renowned engraver at the Royal Mint. Clark is also known for creating the fifth and final definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth II used on British coinage. His intricate designs for the Queen’s Beasts series have been praised for their detail, dynamism, and modern interpretation of classic heraldic symbols.

Minting details:

• The series ran from 2016 to 2021, with two designs released each year.
• Coins were minted in gold, silver, and platinum, in various sizes and denominations.
• The Royal Mint also produced base metal versions for collectors.
• Each design was available as bullion coins and as proof coins for collectors.

Legacy: The Queen’s Beasts series has been one of the Royal Mint’s most successful modern coin programs. Its popularity led to the creation of related merchandise and even influenced a follow-up series, the Tudor Beasts, which began in 2022.

The series has not only been a commercial success, but has also served as an educational tool, sparking interest in British history and heraldry among coin enthusiasts worldwide.