Gothic Victoria Crown

William Wyon is regarded as one of history’s great coin designers, his reputation forever linked to the reign of Queen Victoria. In 1846 he was commissioned to produce a new portrait for a celebratory silver crown, and in a break from his familiar Neoclassical style his design was heavily influenced by the Neo-Gothic.

Where the Neoclassical looked to ancient Greece and Rome, the Neo-Gothic was influenced by medieval aesthetics. Maybe Wyon’s studies of medieval poetry for his Una and the Lion” design had inspired him, or perhaps it was the Gothic Revival architecture of the new Palace of Westminster being built just along the Thames from his desk at The Royal Mint. Whatever influenced him, the 1847 “Gothic Crown” represents another landmark in Wyon’s remarkable career.

OBVERSE
The obverse of the coin depicts the crowned old head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the Royal Diamond Diadem crown and the Victoria Coronation necklace worn for her Coronation. This is her effigy known as the “Fifth Portrait” worldwide and “Sixth Portrait” in Australia, in “uncouped” version – showing the Queen’s shoulders and not terminating at the neck as the normal version.

On the left, in small letters on the Queen’s shoulder, the artist’s initials J.C (for Jody Clark).

Running continuously around the rim is the monarch’s legend and the face value: ELIZABETH II · D · G · REGINA · F · D · ST. HELENA · FIVE POUNDS ·. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith, Saint Helena.

Obverse Inscription ELIZABETH II · D · G · REGINA · F · D · ST. HELENA · FIVE POUNDS ·

REVERSE
Within a decorated border, the reverse design represents the three nations brought together by the Act of Union in 1801 and depicts a crowned cruciform (in a cross pattern) shields bearing the three lions passant of England (twice, in positions 1 and 3), the lion rampant of Scotland (2), and the harp of Ireland (4). The shields are contained within a deeply tressured circular panel. In the angles are two roses, a shamrock and a thistle – the national plants of England, Scotland and Ireland respectively. In the centre there is a four-leafed flower.

At centre, a small flag of the Union (commonly known as The Union Jack), surrounded by the Order of the Garter inscribed with its motto HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE (translated from Old French: May he be shamed who thinks badly of it).

Around above, interrupted by St Edward’s crown on top of the English shield, the inscription tueatur unita deus – May God guard these United (Kingdoms). Around below, also interrupted by the crown, the date of issue in Latin: anno dom mmxxi – abbreviated from Anno domini MMXXII – Year of Our Lord 2022. As on the obverse, all the lettering is in ornate Gothic style.

Next to the date, the EIC mint mark of the East India Company; the letters are separated by arrows radiating from the centre around which they are situated.

Reverse Inscription tueatur unita deus anno dom mmxxii