In 2001, the Royal Mint released a very special Limited Issue Britannia Silver Proof 4 Coin Set struck in solid fine .958 Silver and includes the £2 Two Pound, £1 One Pound, 50p Fifty Pence and 20p Twenty Pence Coin.
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 series.
In a style that is typical of Philip Nathan's work, he has 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 can be found on the farthings of George IV and is present today on the modern 50p Fifty Pence Coin.
But perhaps more spectacularly, what Philip Nathan's new design really calls to mind is the very famous and elegant 'Una and the Lion' £5 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. 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 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.
