Coin
5 Pounds - Victoria 1st portrait; 'Una and the Lion' (1839) — United Kingdom
United Kingdom • 1839 • KM#742, Sp#3851
Overview
A gold 5 Pounds Proof coin of the United Kingdom, minted in 1839 with a limited mintage of 400 pieces. It features the 'Young Head' uncrowned portrait of Queen Victoria on the obverse and the iconic 'Una and the Lion' design on the reverse. Engraved by William Wyon, this non-circulating coin is composed of .9167 gold, weighs 39 grams, and measures 38 mm in diameter with a plain or incuse lettered edge.
Specifications
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Year
- 1839
- Composition
- Gold (.9167)
- Weight
- 39 g
- Diameter
- 38 mm
- Mint
- Royal Mint (Tower Hill), London, United Kingdom (1810-1975)
- Shape
- Round
- Technique
- Milled
- References
- KM#742, Sp#3851
- Issuer
- United Kingdom
Design details
Obverse
Young uncrowned portrait ('Young Head') of Queen Victoria left, legend around.
Reverse
Crowned standing figure of the Queen as the character Una (see below), holding orb and sceptre, with standing lion left, legend above, date in exergue.
Collector insights
- Design heritage: William Wyon is credited as the designer for the Non-circulating coins series. Designer attribution helps distinguish this issue from later restrikes or unofficial copies that reuse only the motif.
- Struck at: Royal Mint (Tower Hill), London, United Kingdom (1810-1975). Confirm the mintmark on your example before comparing prices — same-year issues from different mints often trade at very different levels.
- Low mintage: Only 400 pieces reported. This puts the issue into key-date territory for its series; expect steep grade-based price scaling and a higher counterfeit risk — provenance and third-party grading matter.
- Gold issue: Gold (.9167) — bullion demand competes with numismatic demand. Weight and fineness (not just face value) drive the melt-value floor.
- Catalogue reference: Listed as
KM#742, Sp#3851. Use this reference code when cross-checking auction archives, dealer inventories, and standard printed catalogues.
Related pieces
Explore more
Browse more items in the full catalog or view United Kingdom in the country guide.