2001 Britannia and the Lion Tenth-Ounce Gold Proof Coin | NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo

2001 Britannia and the Lion Tenth-Ounce Gold Proof Coin – NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo This 2001 Britannia carries a one-year-only reverse design by veteran Royal Mint sculptor Philip Nathan, deliberately created to echo William Wyon's celebrated 1839 "Una and the Lion" — one of the most admired designs in British numismatic history. Rather than the familiar standing Britannia used in most years, this design shows Britannia wearing a Corinthian helmet and holding her traditional trident and shield, accompanied by a lion, with both figures facing left in a composition Nathan deliberately styled after Wyon's original. The choice of subject was especially fitting for 2001, the centenary year of Queen Victoria's death — the same monarch depicted as Una on the original 1839 coin. This was Nathan's third distinct Britannia design, following the original 1987 "standing Britannia" and its variations. In a style typical of his work, he chose to accentuate Britannia's British character through her association with the lion — echoed elsewhere in British coinage on the farthings of George IV and the modern 50p piece. The obverse carries Ian Rank-Broadley's fourth definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, used on UK coinage between 1998 and 2015. Graded NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo — the maximum attainable grade, reflecting a flawless strike with no imperfections under magnification and strong cameo contrast between the frosted devices and mirrored fields. Your Purchase, Guaranteed ✓ Only 1 currently in stock — each graded coin we list is a specific example, individually photographed and certified. ✓ Free, fully insured UK delivery — tracked door to door, at no extra cost. ✓ The exact coin you see — every photo on this page is the real coin, never stock imagery. ✓ 14-day returns if the coin isn't exactly as described. ✓ Independently verified — check this coin's own certification on NGC's public register (link below). ✓ Talk to a specialist directly — email richard@sovaracoins.com for a straight answer before you buy. Coin Highlights One-year-only "Britannia and the Lion" reverse design by Philip Nathan, deliberately inspired by William Wyon's celebrated 1839 "Una and the Lion" Struck in the centenary year of Queen Victoria's death — the monarch depicted on the original Una and the Lion design Individual proof mintage of just 3,500 coins Obverse: Ian Rank-Broadley's fourth definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth II Struck in 22 carat gold to proof finish by The Royal Mint Certified NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo — the highest possible grade Encapsulated in a tamper-evident NGC holder for authenticity and protection Specifications Year 2001 Mint The Royal Mint, Llantrisant Composition 22 carat gold (91.67% fine) Weight 3.41 grams Fine Gold Content 0.1 troy oz (3.11 grams) Diameter 16.50 mm Edge Milled Finish Proof Obverse Designer Ian Rank-Broadley (fourth portrait) Reverse Designer Philip Nathan (one-year-only "Britannia and the Lion" design) Individual Proof Mintage 3,500 Grading NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo Why This Coin Stands Out Britannia's one-off design years are a well-established collecting theme, and this 2001 issue stands out for its deliberate, self-aware homage to one of the most celebrated coin designs in British history. At the smallest, most accessible denomination of this design, and with an individual mintage of just 3,500, a PF70 Ultra Cameo certification makes this a strong entry point for collectors of the "Una and the Lion" design lineage, alongside our Great Engravers remastering of the original and the matching Quarter-Ounce. As UK legal tender gold, this coin is exempt from Capital Gains Tax for UK residents and free from VAT under current investment gold rules. Browse our full range of graded gold Sovereigns to explore more one-year-only designs and historic remastered pieces. 2001 G.Britain Britannia & the Lion G10PND