Royal Mint Unleashes The Griffin Of Edward III As The Final Beast In The Queen's Beasts Collection

The Royal Mint - The Royal Mint, the original maker of UK coins, has today unleashed the Griffin of Edward III onto a commemorative coin as the final heraldic beast that forms part of the Queen's Beasts collection.

Chosen as one of the ten ancestral beasts that lined the entrance to Westminster Abbey at Her Majesty The Queen's coronation, the Griffin of Edward III has been reimagined for modern times by designer Jody Clark.

View the entire Queen's Beasts Collection


Each coin design that forms part of the Queen's Beasts collection is a combination of heraldic symbolism and dynamic realism. Using this skillful blend, the coin's design successfully portrays the power and courage of the mythical creature that is the Griffin, ensuring the design of the coin is in keeping with the other beasts that form part of the commemorative coin collection.

Clare Maclennan, Divisional Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint said: "Today we unveil the final beast as part of The Royal Mint's Queen's Beasts collection - The Griffin of Edward III. The Royal Mint's Queen's Beasts commemorative coin collection combines a skillful blend of design and craftsmanship with symbolism and dynamic realism to bring to life the ten ancestral beasts that lined the entrance to Westminster Abbey at Her Majesty The Queen's coronation. The Royal Mint's Queen's Beasts commemorative coin collection has grown in popularity since the first beast was introduced in 2017 and has become a firm favourite amongst coin collectors across the globe."

Known as a treasure guardian and a talisman to ward off evil, the griffin appeared in English heraldry from the twelfth century onward and first entered royal service as a beast of Edward III. The griffin continued as a royal emblem after Edward III's death in 1377 - Richard II used it on plate and jewellery - before falling out of favour after 1400. Although a portrait of Henry VI from circa 1458 shows two griffin supporters to his coat of arms.

The coin is available in a range of precious metal finishes, as well as a Brilliant Uncirculated edition. Visit https://www.royalmint.com/QueensBeasts to view the full collection.