The Una and the Lion design originates from William Wyon's 1839 pattern piece for Queen Victoria — widely considered among the finest British coin designs ever produced but never used for circulation. The East India Company, reconstituted as a private licensing entity in the 21st century, has no historical connection to that original commission; the design was Wyon's tribute to Victoria's first year on the throne, the lion representing strength she was guiding rather than being guided by.
Updating the allegory to Charles III required reworking the portrait while leaving Wyon's iconic figure essentially intact.
The Una and the Lion design originates from William Wyon's 1839 pattern piece for Queen Victoria — widely considered among the finest British coin designs ever produced but never used for circulation. The East India Company, reconstituted as a private licensing entity in the 21st century, has no historical connection to that original commission; the design was Wyon's tribute to Victoria's first year on the throne, the lion representing strength she was guiding rather than being guided by.
Updating the allegory to Charles III required reworking the portrait while leaving Wyon's iconic figure essentially intact.