The Royal Mint’s legendary 1839 masterpiece by William Wyon makes its bullion coin debut after 187 years, exclusively through SD Bullion, bringing one of Britain’s most celebrated coin designs to American collectors.
SD Bullion, America’s top independent precious metals dealers, has announced an exclusive partnership with The Royal Mint to introduce the 2027 Una and the Lion Gold and Silver Bullion Coin Collection, marking the first time William Wyon’s iconic 1839 design has been issued as a bullion coin.
Launched November 9, the collection is available exclusively through SD Bullion, offering collectors and precious metals buyers an opportunity to own one of the most celebrated designs in British coinage history.
Often described by collectors as The Royal Mint’s “Mona Lisa,” Una and the Lion is widely regarded as a masterpiece of nineteenth-century numismatic artistry. Its historical significance and enduring popularity have made original examples highly sought-after collectibles, with exceptional Una and the Lion specimens commanding six-figure prices at auction.
Now, 187 years after its creation, the legendary design enters a new chapter with its first appearance on gold and silver bullion coins, making Wyon’s celebrated artwork accessible to a broader audience.
A 187-Year-Old Masterpiece Makes Bullion Coin History
Originally created in 1839 by William Wyon, Chief Engraver of The Royal Mint, Una and the Lion remains one of the most admired artistic achievements in British coinage.
The design was inspired by Edmund Spenser’s sixteenth-century epic poem The Faerie Queene, portraying the young Queen Victoria as Lady Una, an allegorical figure associated with truth and virtue, guiding a powerful lion representing the British nation.
Created shortly after Victoria ascended the throne, the design was groundbreaking because it represented the first British coin depicting a reigning monarch as a fictional literary character.
Wyon’s composition combined classical engraving techniques, literary symbolism, and extraordinary attention to detail. Its artistic importance is frequently compared with America’s celebrated Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle.
The original 1839 gold pieces were produced in exceptionally limited quantities. According to The Royal Mint Museum, total production, including subsequent strikings, amounted to only a few hundred examples.
The Royal Mint revived the design in 2019 through its Great Engravers Collection, introducing a modern proof tribute that sold out within two days and subsequently attracted substantial collector interest.
Until now, buyers seeking the iconic design on coins generally faced a choice between rare nineteenth-century originals and premium-priced modern proof editions.
The 2027 bullion release introduces a new alternative, bringing this historic composition to gold and silver coins priced primarily according to their precious metal content and applicable premiums.
“The Royal Mint’s most celebrated design makes history again. SD Bullion is proud to bring this iconic masterpiece to collectors through an exclusive bullion coin collection release.”
Chase Turner, CEO of SD Bullion
First-Ever Una and the Lion Gold and Silver Bullion Coins
The collection features three distinct bullion releases, providing buyers with options across different precious metals and price points.
2027 1 oz Gold Una and the Lion Bullion Coin
The flagship one-ounce gold edition recreates Wyon’s legendary design in a format closely resembling the size and precious metal composition of the historic original. It combines the appeal of physical gold ownership with one of Britain’s most recognizable numismatic designs.
2027 1/10 oz Gold Una and the Lion Bullion Coin
The fractional gold edition provides a lower-cost entry point for collectors seeking the historic design in gold. Its smaller format allows buyers to experience Royal Mint craftsmanship while purchasing a fraction of a troy ounce.
2027 1 oz Silver Una and the Lion Bullion Coin
The one-ounce silver release introduces Wyon’s masterpiece to a wider audience of silver collectors and bullion buyers. Silver’s reflective properties help showcase the design’s intricate engraving, while its lower metal cost makes the release more accessible than the gold editions.
Together, the three formats represent a significant expansion of The Royal Mint’s bullion offerings.
Historic Engraving Meets Modern Royal Mint Technology
The 2027 collection faithfully recreates William Wyon’s original composition while incorporating contemporary minting techniques.
The reverse depicts Queen Victoria as Una, holding a sceptre and orb while guiding the British lion. The inscription DIRIGE DEUS GRESSUS MEOS, translated as “O God, direct my steps,” appears alongside the coin’s weight, fineness, and Roman numeral date MMXXVII.
The obverse features the official portrait of King Charles III, created by British sculptor Martin Jennings.
The Royal Mint has also incorporated surface animation technology on the reverse, enhancing the coin’s visual appearance while providing an additional security feature.
These modern elements complement the historic artwork without fundamentally altering Wyon’s celebrated composition.
SD Bullion Expands Its Exclusive Global Mint Partnerships
The Una and the Lion launch reinforces SD Bullion’s strategy of bringing distinctive precious metals products to American consumers through direct partnerships with leading international mints.
As a U.S. Mint Authorized Purchaser of gold bullion and an established retail partner of prominent sovereign and private mints, SD Bullion continues to expand its portfolio of exclusive and first-to-market products.
The partnership with The Royal Mint combines historic British numismatic artistry, modern minting craftsmanship, and SD Bullion’s commitment to competitive precious metals pricing.
For established collectors, the collection introduces a new way to acquire one of the most recognizable designs in British coinage. For bullion buyers, it offers gold and silver products featuring artwork with nearly two centuries of collector recognition.
The launch also represents a notable milestone for The Royal Mint, extending one of its most celebrated historic designs into the bullion coin market for the first time.
Where to Buy the 2027 Una and the Lion Bullion Coins
The 2027 Una and the Lion Gold and Silver Bullion Coin Collection is available exclusively through SD Bullion.
Customers can purchase the 1 oz gold, 1/10 oz gold, and 1 oz silver editions, along with select NGC-certified releases, directly through the company’s website.
About SD Bullion
SD Bullion, Inc. is one of the leading independent precious metals dealers in the United States, serving more than 500,000 customers nationwide. The company offers gold, silver, and platinum bullion products, emphasizing competitive pricing, low premiums, extensive selection, and dependable customer service.
SD Bullion is a U.S. Mint Authorized Purchaser of gold bullion and maintains relationships with leading international mints, including The Royal Mint, Royal Canadian Mint, and Scottsdale Mint.
Recognized six times on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies, SD Bullion maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and has earned more than 200,000 five-star reviews on Shopper Approved.
For more information, visit SDBullion.com.
