Five Pound Piece: Victoria (obverse); Una (reverse)

This gleaming gold coin presents a captivating duality: on one side, a youthful Queen Victoria, and on the other, a scene inspired by Edmund Spenser's epic poem, The Faerie Queene. Struck in 1839, this five-pound piece was never intended for circulation, instead serving as a presentation piece or for collectors. The reverse depicts Victoria as Una, the personification of Truth, gently guiding a powerful lion, often referred to as the British lion. This design choice elevates the coin beyond mere currency, transforming it into a miniature work of art that intertwines royal portraiture with classical allegory. Its exceptional craftsmanship and striking quality have led many to consider it one of the most beautiful coins in the English series.