Stunning NGC-certified 'Una and the Lion' Highlights St. James's Sale

An “Una and the Lion” is among over 100 world coins certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company™ (NGC®) that are being offered in a St. James’s Auctions sale. Online bidding is underway for Auction 69, which is being held on November 17, 2022.

The top coin in the sale is a Great Britain 1839 Una and the Lion 5 Sovereign graded NGC PF 63 Ultra Cameo (lot 49). Inspired by Edmund Spenser’s epic poem “The Faerie Queene,” the reverse of the coin depicts Queen Victoria in the role of Lady Una guiding a lion, while the obverse features a bust of the young queen. Because of its rarity, artistry and symbolism, many collectors consider this to be the most beautiful coin in British numismatics. This impressive example has an estimate of £300,000 (about $335,000).

Great Britain 1839 "Una and the Lion" 5 Sovereign graded NGC PF 63 Ultra Cameo Click images to enlarge.

Other NGC-certified highlights in the auction include:

• a Great Britain 1826 £5 graded NGC PROOF AU Details (lot 42) with an estimate of £45,000 (about $50,000)
• a Great Britain 1839 Crown graded NGC PF 65★ Cameo (lot 55) with an estimate of £45,000 (about $50,000)
• a Great Britain 1729 5 Guineas graded NGC AU 55 (lot 30) with an estimate of £30,000 (about $34,000)
• a Great Britain 1847 Gothic Crown graded NGC PF 62 Cameo (lot 56) with an estimate of £25,000 (about $28,000)
• a South Africa 1892 Double Shaft Half Pond graded NGC PF 63 Cameo (lot 223) with an estimate of £25,000 (about $28,000)
• a Great Britain 1893 £5 graded NGC PF 62 Ultra Cameo (lot 52) with an estimate of £22,000 (about $25,000)
• a Great Britain 1826 Sovereign graded NGC PF 64 Ultra Cameo (lot 121) with an estimate of £16,000 (about $18,000)
• a Great Britain 1678 Guinea graded NGC MS 61 (lot 19) with an estimate of £15,000 (about $17,000)

All estimates are provided by the auction house. The $ symbol represents US Dollars.