2018 Great Britain 1 oz Platinum Queen's Beasts The Griffin

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The 2018 Great Britain Platinum Queen's Beasts coin brings ancient heraldry into the modern era. Struck from one troy ounce of 0.9995 fine platinum, this piece represents the second design issued in a celebrated series by The Royal Mint. The series itself draws inspiration from the majestic plaster sculptures created by James Woodford RA to stand guard during the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. On the reverse, the mythical griffin takes center stage, depicted with its powerful talons clutching a shield. Historically linked to the reign of Edward III, this legendary creature combines the traits of the lion and the eagle, traditionally representing attributes such as bravery, physical power, watchful guardianship, alertness, rapid speed, and sharp sight. The outer rim of this side carries inscriptions detailing the weight, the 0.9995 purity, the year 2018, and the name of the beast, alongside the initials JC for the designer, Jody Clark. The obverse features the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, also designed by Jody Clark. This side displays the face value of 100 pounds, establishing its status as a sovereign coin fully backed by the government of the United Kingdom.