Pièce 1 once d'argent plaquée or Épreuve numismatique Saint-Hélène Una et le Lion 2021 | Compagnie des Indes orientales

The Una and the Lion coin, designed by famed artist and engraver William Wyon, was first struck in 1839 and intended to commemorate the reign of Queen Victoria of England, following her succession to the throne, in 1837. Originally intended as a collector's piece, the design was met with much critical acclaim and is recognized as one of the most beautifully struck coins in history. The East India Company has reimagined this historical icon on this immaculately designed 1 oz 999 Fine Silver gilded proof coin.

COIN HIGHLIGHTS

• Ships individually in protective packaging
• Consisting of 1 oz 999 Fine Silver
• Obverse: Features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II created by Jody Clark, Her name and title initials, the artist's initials, along with the name of the issuing country and legal tender value
• Reverse: Features a redesigned gilded version of the iconic Una and the Lion, with Una holding a scepter accompanied by her fierce lion protector, along with the year of issue, and East India Company mint mark

The story of Una and the lion originates in Edmund Spencer's epic 1590's poem, The Faerie Queene. The lengthy, allegorical work praised Queen Elizabeth I, celebrating and critiquing the Tudor dynasty.

Una is the beautiful young daughter of a king and queen who have been imprisoned by a ferocious dragon. Una undertakes a quest to free her parents, but on her journey she encounters a fierce lion. The lion is so captivated by Una’s innocence and beauty that he abandons his plan to eat her, and vows instead to become her protector and companion.

Una represents truth and the Church of England while the lion is thought to represent Queen Elizabeth's power, her elegance and her aristocratic figure.

ABOUT SAINT HELENA

The tiny, isolated Island of Saint Helena is an unlikely candidate as one of the most significant and influential nations in terms of global trade. Yet, when one looks back and examines our collective history, St. Helena repeatedly comes up as an integral component to global trade and commerce. The Island, which spans an area of mere 17 kilometers in length by 10 kilometers in breadth, was seen as an oasis by explorers and conquerors such as the Dutch, Portuguese, and English, all vying for control of the crucial port of call. By 1658 the British claimed the Island for themselves by making it a fortress and a hub for lucrative expeditions to India, China, and the rest of the eastern world. The company reached unprecedented heights of success, accounting for half of the world’s trade, establishing a monopoly in cotton, silk, salt, spices and tea, among many others, contributing to the vast and enormous wealth of the British empire. The Island, which remains a British colony to this day, was a vital component in the rise of the British empire.