Few British dynasties have garnered the attention and generated the intrigue of the House of Tudor. Controlling the crown of England from the late 15th century to the early 17th century, the founding of the Tudor Dynasty brought an end to the Wars of the Roses, brought about the chaotic reign of Henry VIII, and also led to a brilliant period of growth under Queen Elizabeth I. The new Tudor Beasts Series from the Royal Mint of England celebrates the heraldic beasts of this renowned dynasty.
On the reverse side of the first coin in the series, you will find the image of the Seymour Panther. Gifted to Jane Seymour by King Henry VIII when the two were wed in 1536. Henry VIII chose the panther from the catalog of heraldic beasts to gift to Jane Seymour, but in a weird twist, he chose the leopard of his previous wife, Anne Boleyn. The King and Jane Seymour married shortly after Anne Boleyn’s execution, and to save time and money, Henry VIII had Anne’s leopard altered to reflect a panther to give to Jane Seymour. Known as the Seymour Panther, the beast is seated and has flames coming from its ears and mouth. The panther supports a shield with the Seymour Wings. These wings are joined at the center with the wingtips pointed downward. Inscriptions read SEYMOUR PANTHER and 2022.
For the reverse side of the second proof issue in the series, the Royal Mint features the image of the powerful Lion of England. The oldest heraldic beast in English history, the Lion of England is captured here in a design similar to that found on Moat Bridge. The image shows a shield with the impaled arms of King Henry VIII and his third wife, Jane Seymour. The crowned lion is seated behind the shield in support.
The third design in the series is the Yale of Beaufort. This beast came to the crown through King Henry VII, but his son Henry VIII was the one who used the Yale of Beaufort most prominently. The design shows the Yale supporting a shield with the Arms of Jane Seymour (the wife of King Henry VIII.)
The fourth design in the Tudor Beasts Series is the Bull of Clarence. The Bull of Clarence symbolizes strength, power, and resilience and was originally associated with the House of York. The design shows the bull standing on its hind legs, as it’s holding a shield with a rose to serve as a reminder of the War of the Roses.
The fifth design in the Tudor Beasts Series is the first 2024-dated coin. The unicorn is traditionally associated with Scotland as a member of the United Kingdom but was not part of English heraldry until the reign of King James I, after the Union of Scotland and England. The design of the Seymour Unicorn shows the mythical beast on its hind legs, holding a six-quartered shield of Jane Seymour.
The sixth overall design in the Tudor Beasts collection is the Tudor Dragon. This beast is a reminder of the House of Tudor’s connection to their Welsh heritage. The design shows a dragon propping up a shield adorned with a Beaufort Portcullis badge.
The Royal Mint offers different packaging options for its BU and Proof Tudor Beast Gold Coins. The Proof Tudor Beasts all arrive in individual capsules with a wooden box, themed shipper, and Certificate of Authenticity available at delivery. The BU Tudor Beasts come with individual and bulk options. The 1 oz gold coin is offered in protective flips, plastic tubes of 10, and Monster Boxes of 100 gold coins. The 1/4 oz gold coin is similarly available in a plastic flip, with protective tubes of 25 and Monster Boxes of 500 gold coins.
While the order is unclear, the planned releases for the series are the following:
Henry Tudor, head of the House of Lancaster, formed the House of Tudor when he ascended the throne following his victory over King Richard III of the House of York at the Battle of Bosworth. Henry ruled as King Henry VII, but it was the next two generations of his line that would leave an indelible mark on the kingdom. King Henry VIII was known as a tyrannical ruler with a temper, evidenced by his six marriages and the execution of two of his wives. Three of Henry VIII’s children went on to rule the empire after his death. His only son, King Edward VI, ascended the throne at a young age and ruled for just six years. Henry VIII’s eldest child and daughter, Mary, ruled as Queen Mary I and attempted to bring the empire back toward Rome. Her reign lasted just five years and was followed by one of England’s first Golden Ages. Mary and Edward’s half-sister, Elizabeth, the daughter of Anne Boleyn, rose to the throne in 1558. Elizabeth II reigned longer than any other Tudor monarch and ushered in a Golden Age for the kingdom as she reigned until her death in 1603.
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