The Royal Mint's New Lion and Eagle Coins Paired with NGC John Mercanti Signature Labels

For the first time, The Royal Mint has collaborated with a former US Mint Engraver for the issuance of historic coins commemorating the alliance of Great Britain and the United States. To celebrate these coins, a limited portion of the mintage was selected to be certified by NGC and encapsulated with an exclusive NGC label featuring the signature of engraver John Mercanti alongside the flag of the United Kingdom. These coins, which come with a numbered certificate of authenticity and a Royal Mint-branded presentation case, are available from Govmint.com beginning November 27th, 2023.

These exciting new coins feature a reverse designed by Mercanti that showcases the national symbols of both the US and Great Britain nations: the Lion of England and a Bald Eagle, shown close together in a pose that evokes collaboration and strength. Together, these symbols reflect the rich history and values of both countries.

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The lion has been a prominent emblem in English heraldry since the 12th century, representing strength, nobility and courage. It is one of the earliest animals to appear in royal emblems, and its first recorded use was the gift of a blue shield, decorated with small golden lions, given to Geoffrey Plantagenet by Henry I in 1127. For as long as England has had a shield of its own, it has always featured the lion in some form. In present day, the Lion is represented in The Royal Arms of Great Britain as three gold lions passant in the first and fourth quadrants.

The choice of the eagle as the symbol of America draws inspiration from ancient civilizations such as Rome, where the eagle was associated with power, authority and freedom. The Founding Fathers of the United States admired these characteristics and adopted the bald eagle as the national emblem in 1782. The eagle's keen vision and soaring flight embodied the ideals of liberty, independence and the pursuit of the American Dream. As the national emblem, it has appeared on the reverse side of many US coins.

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Mercanti, who served as the 12th Chief Engraver of the US Mint, produced over 100 coin and medal designs for the US Mint and is considered to be a legend in modern numismatics. He is most notably known for the Silver Eagle, which used his reverse design of a heraldic eagle from 1986 to 2021. The world’s most widely traded and collected modern silver coin, the Silver Eagle is the most popular modern US precious metal coin and has been struck over 600 million times.

The obverse of the Lion and Eagle coin features The Royal Mint's first definitive portrait of King Charles III, which was created by designer Martin Jennings.

The coins that have been selected for NGC certification and encapsulation with the label featuring Mercanti's signature and the United Kingdom flag will also include NGC's popular First Day of Issue designation. Included on the certification label, this designation is reserved for select coins that are purchased on the first day that the mint releases that coin. To qualify for the First Day of Issue designation, all coins must generally be received by NGC or an NGC-approved depository within one day of the first release of a new coin issue.

About NGC

Founded in 1987, NGC has graded more than 60 million coins, medals and tokens. NGC has a team of full-time graders with decades of experience, whose expertise is backed by the industry-leading NGC Guarantee. NGC's certification label includes the attribution, grade and certification number of each coin, which is sonically sealed in NGC's secured holder, providing protection, an attractive display and easy storage.

About The Royal Mint

The Royal Mint is the official mint of the United Kingdom and one of the most technically advanced minting facilities in the world. Using highly skilled artisans, the mint is legendary for the craftsmanship of its Proof coins and medallions. The history of The Royal Mint spans more than 1,000 years, from its establishment in the Tower of London to its modern facility in South Wales, where it continues to strike all UK coinage as well as coins for more than 50 other countries.