Victoria (1837-1901). 5 livres (5 pounds) “Una and the lion”, bandeaux à 6 rouleaux et 11 feuilles, Flan bruni (PROOF) 1839, Londres.

GREAT-BRITAIN Victoria (1837-1901). 5 livres (5 pounds) "Una and the lion", 6 scroll band and 11 leaves, Proof strike 1839, London. Obv. VICTORIA D: G: BRITANNIARUM REGINA F: D:. Bust left with headband in hair; signature W. WYON R. A. Rev. DIRIGE DEUS - GRESSUS MEOS. The Queen on the left leading a lion with its sceptre; in the exergue (date) and signature W. WYON R. A. Fr.386 - S.3851 - W&R.278 - GH.106 ; Or - 37 mm - 12 h. Top Pop: this is the finest graded example! From MDC 6 sale no. 807. NGC PF 66 ULTRA CAMEO. PROOF, with intense cameo appearance (ULTRA CAMEO) and matte relief on mirror-like fields, the colour is greenish-yellow. The edge is inscribed: DECUS ET TUTAMEN * ANNO REGNI TERTIO *. Variety with 6 scrolls and 11 leaves on the obverse and DIRIGE on the reverse. Only small rust spots on the reverse, otherwise in mint condition with minimal fingerprints. Uncirculated 600000 € Designed by William Wyon (1795-1851) in 1839 to commemorate the beginning of Victoria's reign (in 1837), the £5 coin "Una and the lion" is recognized as one of the finest British coins. Victoria, accompanied by a lion, walks on the left, with the motto "May God direct my steps". The young Queen, then aged 20, is depicted as Lady Una, based on a character in Edmund Spencer's 1590 poem The Faerie Queene. This bold design is the first depiction of a British monarch as a fictional character: the lion representing England is led by Queen Victoria, as Una, who guides it with her sceptre.