2799) "MERLIN", United Kingdom: "Myths and Legends Coin Series": Second Bullion Coin in the Series: Silver £2 UKP (2 Pounds) & £5 (5 Pounds) and Gold £25 (25 Pounds) & £100 UKP (100 Pounds) Bullion Coins and £5 (5 Pounds) Cupro-nickel issued by the Royal Mint UK featuring the legendary wizard: Year of Coin issue: 2023:
Arthurian Links:
1) King Arthur: The first coin in the six coins "Camelot Series"
The Royal Mint, UK has released the second coin in its new range of collector coins titled - “Myths and Legends,” which was first released in 2021 year as a Bullion Coin Series.
The second Coin depicts Merlin, the central mythical & legendary wizard in the world of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Merlin’s origins are associated with the legend of Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. He was the most trusted advisor and wizard to King Arthur, as well as being his close and loyal friend.
Merlin seldom takes a single form for long enough to show us his true nature, he eludes definition today, just as he did a millennium ago, and his origins and fate have been lost in the mists of time.
Merlin first appeared in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s "Historia Regum Britanniae" ("The History of the Kings of Britain") which was a twelfth-century, historical account of Britain.
Merlin's origins are often tied to Welsh folklore, specifically the bard and wild man "Myrddin Wyllt", who succumbed to madness following a battle and retreated to the Caledonian forest, where he gained the gift of foresight.
However, the inspiration for the elusive figure likely stems from a blend of mythical characters and legends.
Over time, Merlin has evolved to become one of the most popular characters in British mythology.
The Bullion Coins:
On the Reverse of the Silver & Gold Bullion Coins the design evokes a sense of the magical wizardry that Merlin is remembered throughout the ages for.
He is depicted holding a magic staff with an owl perched upon his shoulder.
To the upper right is a detail of the island of Avalon (the final resting place of King Arthur) in the background.
The Reverse design is embellished with a frosted finish and hexal relief feature, which enables light to refract on the coin’s surface at different angles.
On the Coin periphery is the text "MERLIN MYTHS AND LEGENDS. 2023".
On the Obverse of the Silver and Gold Bullion Coins is an effigy of HM King Charles III facing left designed by Martin Jennings, whose initials "MJ" appear below the King's neck.
The inscriptions on the outer periphery read - "CHARLES III. D.G. REX. F.D. 2023" and the denomination 25 or 100 POUNDS (Gold) or 2 & 5 POUNDS (Silver), and 5 Pounds (Cupro-nickel), as part of the legend surrounding the King’s effigy.
The specifications of the Silver and Gold Coin Variants are:
i) £2 (2 Pounds) Silver Bullion Coin Variant:
Country of issue: United Kingdom; Year: 2023; Denomination/Face Value: £2 UKP (2 Pounds); Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 1.0 Oz or 31.1 grams; Diameter/Size: 38.6 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mint: Royal Mint, UK; Mintage: 2,500 pieces;Designer: David Lawrence (Reverse), Martin Jennings (Obverse).
ii) £25 (25 Pounds) Silver Bullion Coin Variant:
Country of issue: United Kingdom; Year: 2023; Denomination/Face Value: £25 UKP (25 Pounds); Metal Composition: .9999 Fineness Gold (Au/Or); Weight: 2.0 Oz or 62.2 grams; Diameter/Size: 40.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mint: Royal Mint, UK; Mintage: 500 pieces; Designer: David Lawrence (Reverse), Martin Jennings (Obverse).
iii) £25 (25 Pounds) Gold Bullion Coin Variant:
Country of issue: United Kingdom; Year: 2023; Denomination/Face Value: £25 UKP (25 Pounds); Metal Composition: .9999 Fineness Gold (Au/Or); Weight: 7.80 grams; Diameter/Size: 22.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mint: Royal Mint, UK; Mintage: 600 pieces; Designer: David Lawrence (Reverse), Martin Jennings (Obverse).
iv) £100 (100 Pounds) Gold Bullion Coin Variant:
Country of issue: United Kingdom; Year: 2023; Denomination/Face Value: £100 UKP (100 Pounds); Metal Composition: .9999 Fineness Gold (Au/Or); Weight: 1.00 Oz or 31.1 grams; Diameter/Size: 32.69 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mint: Royal Mint, UK; Mintage: 200 pieces; Designer: David Lawrence (Reverse), Martin Jennings (Obverse).
- Each of the Gold and Silver range of the “Myths and Legends” collector coins is encapsulated and presented in a selection of hardwood high-gloss cases (Gold) or leatherette or black matte cases (Silver), accompanied by numbered Certificates of Authenticity (COA).
- The series is also available as one-ounce bullion gold, platinum, and silver strikes.
v) £5 (5 Pounds) Cupro-nickel Coin Variant:
Country of issue: United Kingdom; Year: 2023; Denomination/Face Value: £5 UKP (5 Pounds); Metal Composition: Cupro-nickel (CuNi); Weight: 28.2 grams; Diameter/Size: 38.6 mm; Coin Quality: Brilliant Uncirculated (BU); Mint: Royal Mint, UK; Mintage: Unlimited pieces; Designer: David Lawrence (Reverse), Martin Jennings (Obverse).
- The Brilliant Uncirculated cupro-nickel coins are housed in a blister-pak type folder with informative text and illustrations.
A Tribute to the Life of Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022):
ii) Charles III, United Kingdom: Effigy unveiled on memorial 5 Pound Crowns and 50 Pence Coins
Britannia Coins:
Related Links on this Blog:
Music Legends Coin Series:
2) Music Giants III, QUEEN, UK: A comprehensive Coin and Stamps Combo issued by the Royal Mail UK in collaboration with the Queen Band and the Royal Mint, UK: Date of Coin & Stamp combo issue: 09.06.2020
Links to "Great Engravers Coin Series":
"Tales of the Earth Coin Series": The Second Dinosaurs Collector Coin Series:
Myths & Legends Coin Series:
A Tribute to the Life of Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022):
3) Hylaeosaurus, United Kingdom: Third and final Coin in a three Coin 50 Pence Coin Series titled "Tales of the Earth - Dinosauria", brought out by the Royal Mint, UK in five variants - Gold, Silver (x 2 coins) and Cupro-nickel (x 2 Coins): Date of coin issue: 01.06.2020
Links to some other interesting posts from the British Isles and British Overseas Territories/Dependencies:
1) Northern Ireland Polymer Bank Issues: Danske Bank (10 Pounds Polymer Banknotes), Bank of Ireland (5 & 10 Pound Polymer Banknotes) to go into circulation in 2020/21
4) The 350th Anniversary of the Guinea: A Two Pound Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK celebrating the milestone
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