In 2001 the Royal Mint released it's yearly Limited Issue Britannia 20p Twenty Pence Silver Proof Coin struck in solid .958 Silver and weighing one tenth of an ounce of pure Silver and features a new design featuring Una and the Lion.
Launched in October 1987, the Britannia bullion coins have carried two different yet beautiful award winning designs specially created by the sculptor Philip Nathan. It therefore seemed an excellent idea to build on this success by commissioning him to produce an additional Britannia design. He rose to the challenge with his customary skill and enthusiasm and for the year 2001, a third Britannia design has been added to the Britannia 20p Twenty Pence Silver Proof Coin series.
In a style that is typical of Philip Nathan's work he has for this special coin, chosen to accentuate the British character of Britannia by depicting her with a lion. The association of Britannia with a lion is not unusual since a similar combination is found on farthings of George IV and is present today on the modern fifty pence piece.
But perhaps more spectacularly, what Philip Nathan's new design really calls to mind is the very famous and elegant 'Una and the Lion' Five Pound Piece of 1839. The rare coin shows the standing figure of a youthful Victoria guiding the British lion, a design that has long been recognised for its outstanding beauty and simple charm. And what can be more fitting in the year that marks the centenary of the death of Queen Victoria, than the appearance of Philip Nathan's similarly inspirational design on the Britannia coins of 2001.
The obverse design of the Britannia 20p Twenty Pence Silver Proof Coin is a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank Broadley FRBS, FSNAD. These legal tender coins have been struck to proof quality using specially prepared dies and highly polished blanks.
Limited Mintage Worldwide
Mark a milestone or great British moment with this year-dated Britannia coin
Finished to Royal Mints Proof Quality
Struck in Solid Fine .958 Silver Weighing One Tenth of an Ounce of Pure Silver
