2018 Great Britain 1/4 oz Gold Queen's Beasts The Unicorn

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In 2018, the Royal Mint continued its celebrated Queen's Beasts series with a fourth release, capturing centuries of royal heraldry in precious metal. This particular issue contains a quarter ounce of 0.9999 pure gold, representing a sovereign issue backed fully by the British government with a face value of 25 pounds. The obverse of the coin showcases the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II set against a modern guilloché background pattern. This textured field adds a sophisticated layer of visual depth to the traditional effigy, highlighting the meticulous craftsmanship of the mint. On the reverse, artist Jody Clark depicts the mythical Scottish Unicorn rearing dynamically over a heraldic shield. The unicorn's connection to Scottish royalty dates back to the twelfth century, and it was later paired with the English Lion to support the Royal Arms. Surrounding this powerful central image are inscriptions detailing the weight, the high metal purity, the year 2018, and the name of the legendary beast.