Five Pound Piece: Victoria (obverse); Una (reverse)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1839
Five Pound Piece: Victoria (obverse); Una (reverse) — Coins, by William Wyon (British, 1795–1851), made in England, Victoria, 1837-1901, dated 1839. This piece was struck by the Royal Mint from gold purchased for the purpose.
The current gold coins, such as the sovereign, were struck from gold supplied by the Bank of England. The larger gold pieces have their origins in the five and two guinea pieces. There are several minor varieties of this fine and rare piece, designed by William Wyon, R.A., a member of the celebrated family, still in existence, that had such a long and profound influence on British coin design. By some, this piece was considered to be too medallic for coinage purposes.
Queen Victoria, at this date a young woman of 20, is shown as Una, Truth, because truth is <em>one</em>: one of the principal characters in Spenser's <em>Faerie Queene </em>(1590–1611). She is leading the lion referred to in her adventures in Spenser's work. It is often also referred to as the British lion. This coin is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful in the English series, and the standard of workmanship and striking has never been improved upon.
Physical description: gold; Diameter: 3.7 cm (1 7/16 in.).
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Held by Cleveland Museum of Art (object no. 1969.217). The museum record attributes this piece to William Wyon (British, 1795–1851) in England, Victoria, 1837-1901 around 1839. Details beyond the museum's own catalogue entry have not been independently verified.
Physical characteristics
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 3.7 cm (1 7/16 in.)
- Materials techniques
- gold
Identification
- Source note
- All details come from the object's own museum catalogue record; nothing has been copied from other entries.
- Museum object name
- Coins
- Museum object number
- 1969.217
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Research required
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.