Pobjoy Mint — British Indian Ocean Territory: 10-coin series entitled “Queen’s Beasts” launches with Lion of England design

The treasury of the British Indian Ocean Territory has launched (25th February) a new 10-coin series of £2 bi-metallic coins which will feature all 10 of the celebrated Queen’s Beasts. As Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be celebrating her 95th birthday on the 21st April 2021, the series of coins featuring the Queen’s Beasts is an appropriate tribute to celebrate this event, a milestone that no other British monarch has reached. 

The coins are produced by the Pobjoy Mint at their facilities in Surrey, England, on behalf of the British Indian Ocean Territory’s treasury. The reverse side depicts a shield illustrating the arms of the United Kingdom as they have been since Queen Victoria’s accession in 1837 and are placed next to the head of a roaring lion. The coin is inscribed with the wording THE LION OF ENGLAND seen above the primary design, and the denomination TWO POUNDS is placed at the bottom of this coin.

The obverse of the coin features an elegant effigy of HM Queen Elizabeth II, which is an exclusive design of the Pobjoy Mint. The issuing authority, BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY, is placed around the Queen’s likeness as the coin’s legend, with the year of issue 2021 shown below the portrait. 

Denom.	Metal	Weight	Diameter	Quality	Maximum Mintage
Two pounds	Bi-metallic	12 g	28.4 mm	Brilliant Unc.	2,750
Two pounds	.925 Silver	12 g	28.4 mm	Proof	475

Base metal Brilliant Uncirculated examples are presented in a sealed blister-pak card.

Sterling silver Proof examples are encapsulated and presented in a custom royal purple coloured case accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. For additional information about these coins and others released by the British Indian Ocean Territory, please visit the website of the Pobjoy Mint.

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