- 2021 Series of £2 Bi-Metal Coins featuring the Queen’s Beasts issued on behalf of British Indian Ocean Territory
- Seventh release in a 10-coin series featuring “The Unicorn of Scotland”
- Low Issue Limit of 2,750 worldwide
- Also available in Proof Sterling Silver with an incredibly low issue limit of 475
Pobjoy Mint is delighted to announce the release of the seventh coin in the stunning new series of £2 Bi-Metal Coins featuring the Queen’s Beasts. The coin, issued on behalf of British Indian Ocean Territory, features the Unicorn of Scotland.
The Unicorn of Scotland’s relation to the Queen comes from James I, the first Stuart king of England who ruled a unified England and Scotland in the 17th century. The unicorn is one of the Queen’s Beasts but it is also the national animal of Scotland.
From the end of the 16th century, two unicorns were adopted as the supporters of the Scottish Royal Arms. In Celtic mythology, the unicorn was a symbol of purity and innocence, as well as masculinity and power. Tales of dominance and chivalry associated with the unicorn may be why it was chosen as their national animal.
In 1603 the Crown of England passed to James VI of Scotland, who then became James I of England. He took as supporters of his royal arms a crowned lion of England and one of his Scottish unicorns.
The design on the coin shows a unicorn with a gold collar and chain attached to its neck holding a shield showing the royal arms of Scotland and a lion rampant within a double tressure flory-counter-flory.
The Queen’s Beasts are 10 heraldic statues representing the genealogy of Queen Elizabeth II, which are depicted as the Royal supporters of England with each one consisting of a heraldic beast supporting a shield bearing the badge or arms of a family associated with the ancestry of Queen Elizabeth II. The original statues were commissioned to stand at an entrance of Westminster Abbey for Her Majesty’s Coronation in 1953.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 95th Birthday in 2021 and therefore, we felt that a series of coins featuring the Queen’s Beasts would be a perfect tribute to celebrate this event, a milestone that no other Monarch has reached.
The obverse of the coin features the Pobjoy Mint exclusive effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Coin Specifications
Presentation
The £2 Bi-Metal Coin is housed in a special presentation pack. The Proof Fine Silver with Goldclad coin is housed in a specially chosen purple box with a special certificate of authenticity.
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We’d love to hear your feedback, comments, and suggestions. You can call our sales line Toll Free at 1-877-4Pobjoy (1-877-476-2569) or visit our website www.pobjoy.com.
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Who decides the value of a coin graded pf70 from both pcgs and ngc? Isn’t the grading somewhat subjective? So if both coins go for auction, I’m talking about a coin worth at least 6 figures, who determines the minimum value? And if the coin auctions for a 7 figure price, is that then considered by the numismatic community the new price of the coin? There are so many variables in coin grading it makes my head spin sometimes, lol! This is really just a question in my mind, not a disparaging comment on coin values.
Hi Jeff,
Even though your comment seems to have very little to do with the Pobjoy Mint’s latest coin in the Queen’s Beasts series, I thought I’d give it a reply. Both PCGS and NGC provide estimated values for as many grade levels of each coin that they certify, but obviously, they have a vested interest in presenting the highest possible value for that coin at that grade.
And of course, dealers would love for people to pay the highest asking price possible for every coin they sell, just as auction houses want their auction lots to not only sell but also go for record prices every time. I don’t think anyone can really blame them, seeing as how they are acting out of their own self-interests – just like the collector is when they want every piece they need for their collection to be a bargain and to provide tangible proof of their savvy negotiation skills and numismatic knowledge.
Unfortunately, there is no “Platonic” value for each coin. But this means that if you believe a coin is not worth the money a second party is asking, then it truly does not have that value… to you. “Value” is merely a consensus that is constantly being polled and tested.
Thanks Hubert, that’s what I sort of felt. To me, it doesn’t matter whose signature is on a slabbed coin but it apparently does. I look more for the historical essence of a given coin, especially American coins, from the very first coin we minted till now. If it’s nice and shiny with all the elements visible, I’m happy. As I was browsing through and saw this “…10 Beasts Coin” it grabbed my attention. Then I started to notice the huge wave of prices which is what prompted my comment, no disrespect to or for anyone who collects coins for whatever reason or price. I still have to wonder at the difference in price between the “MS” (I guess that’s what the non-proof coin is considered) and the PF version. But then again, I appreciate a Kincaid painting as opposed to a Picasso, lol l!