2020 United Kingdom £5 BU Coin "Queen's Beasts: White Lion of Mortimer"

• Mint: British Royal Mint
• Denomination: £5
• Quality: Brilliant Uncirculated
• Issue limit: N/A
• Alloy: Base Metal
• Diameter: 38.61 mm
• Weight: 28.28 grams
• Artist: Jody Clark
• Box/Capsule: No/Blister
• Certificate: Printed Folder

Additional Information

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This is the seventh issue in the Queen's Beasts base metal series and features the White Lion of Mortimer. Previously only struck in precious metals, The Queen’s Beasts are now available also in cupronickel Brilliant Uncirculated quality.

The White Lion came to The Queen through Edward IV who inherited the creature from his grandmother, heiress of the Mortimers. Although Edward sometimes used the White Lion as a supporter of his Royal Arms, unlike the Lion of England the White Lion of Mortimer has no crown and its tongue and claws are blue rather than red. In heraldry lions are often ‘rampant’, standing with forepaws raised, but the Lion of Mortimer is often shown sitting rather like a tamed dog with its tail between its legs.

The White Lion of The Queen’s Beasts holds a Yorkist shield of blue and ‘murrey’ or mulberry colour with a ‘white rose en soleil’, a white rose on a golden sun, combining emblems that were used by both Edward IV and Richard III. It was a badge used by George VI, The Queen’s father, when he was Duke of York.

Each coin is presented in packaging that has been specially designed for these editions colourful, informative fold-out wallets that display the coins and capture the imagination.