27 February 2019
|
The mythical Yale of Beaufort, which has the tail of an elephant and the jaws of a boar, is the latest creature to feature in The Royal Mint's Queen's Beasts coin series.
The Yale is one of ten heraldic Beasts that form the Queen’s Beasts collection - this is the sixth coin in the series of ten. The series aims to bring to life the ten statues that are part of an enduring legacy that define our ruling dynasties.
The Yale of Beaufort descends to The Queen through Henry VII, who inherited the beast from his mother, Lady Margaret Beaufort, who had played a role in the Wars of the Roses. Her position as matriarch of the Tudor dynasty gave the Yale prestige and symbolic meaning.
The Yale is a mythical beast, described as the size of a hippopotamus with the tail of an elephant, the jaws of a boar and of a black or tawny colour and has the ability to swivel each of its horns independently to use as a prominent weapon.
Designing the coin
The Royal Mint's designer Jody Clark spoke of the research that went into his design: “As the Yale is one of the more obtuse and mythical creatures of The Queen’s Beasts, I did a lot of research into its background and its influence which has been carried through to the modern day. It was evident within my research that the Yale has been depicted differently throughout the ages but the most interesting aspect, for me, was its horns as they are a constant feature in many depictions. I wanted this to be a focal point in my design, as well as maintaining its mystery and ancient heritage.
Even though the Yale isn’t a real creature, I wanted the design to portray the Yale as a creature of regal stature, a creature which is both rare and magnificent. I looked at lots of images of animals such as wild boards, goats, bulls and elephants to get the elements of the Yale just right.”
Investment opportunity
Available in fine gold and silver, the coins are Capital Gains Tax exempt (and VAT free for the gold bullion coins), and individual investors who purchase them from Royal Mint Bullion can store them safely and securely at The Royal Mint Vault, which is guarded 24/7 by security staff. Investors have full legal ownership of the coins, and can liquidate their holdings at any time, making them a cost-effective and convenient investment option.
Coin details
Specification
