2022 St. Helena Una & the Lion 1oz Silver BU coin

The original Una & the Lion coin was a true work of art. Minted way back in 1839 during the reign of Queen Victoria, it depicted the young monarch as Una (Truth) the titular character in The Fairie Queene, an epic poem written by British author Edmund Spenser and first published in 1590. A young Victoria is shown on the coin pointing the way forward to a lion in a scene taken from the poem that also serves as an allegorical representation of the Queen leading the British People.

That design received a stunning makeover in 2020 when the East India Company issued a fabulous series on behalf of Saint Helena that depicted new take on the classic Una and the Lion coin born during the Victorian Era. The series returns in 2022 with an all-new design that is simply jaw-dropping. Struck in a full ounce of highly pure 99.9% fine silver by the East India Company, the 2022 design displays a beautiful contemporary design by engraver Glyn Davies. His elegant, determined Una and the powerful but poised lion sit facing each other, staring deeply into each other’s eyes as they ponder their next move. The intimate setting seems to suggest that they are able to communicate their thoughts, hopes, and fears through their held gaze. The detail is fantastic; a very young-looking Una has her long hair tied back in a knotted ponytail while her robes flow gracefully behind her like a billowing sail. The lion’s regal face is upturned and one of his paws is raised as if to offer comfort to the young princess. The image is simply remarkable and marks an infusion of modern style into a classic design born in the early 1800s.

Each coin available in this offer also comes in original Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) condition with razor-sharp details that are as fresh and crisp as they day it left the mint! Here’s the bad news: Just 10,000 of these 2022 Saint Helena One-Ounce Silver Una & the Lion Coins have been authorized for worldwide release. That’s an unbelievably low mintage for such a stunning coin with a pedigree that dates back more than 180 years—especially when you consider that the previous Una and the Lion editions have been complete sell-outs!