2020 1/4 oz British Gold Queen’s Beast White Lion Coin

The White Lion of Mortimer is the only other lion to feature in British heraldry and it is easily discernible from the appearance of the Lion of England. While the latter has become the official emblem of the Royal Arms and is often depicted in a rampant pose with front paws raised, the White Lion is a timid beast.

Passed down to King Edward IV through his grandmother, Anne de Mortimer. She was the noblewoman whose family line controlled the House of York. The mother of Richard, Duke of York, she was the grandmother of King Edward IV and his brother King Richard III. The White Lion of the family emblem is often depicted seated with its tail between its legs and, most notably, never wears a crown as the Lion of England does.

On the reverse of 2020 1/4 oz British Gold Queen’s Beast White Lion Coins is the White Lion of the Mortimers. The family emblem was used on occasion by King Edward IV to support the Royal Arms during his reign. Notable within this design is the use of the Mortimer shield that bears a single rose with sunburst rays behind it. This shield was used as a badge by several monarchs, including Queen Elizabeth II’s father King George VI.