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The 2020 1/4 oz. British Gold Coin Queen's Beast – The White Horse of Hanover is a compelling numismatic and bullion piece that continues The Royal Mint’s prestigious Queen’s Beasts series. Launched in 2016, this heraldic program commemorates the ten statues that stood at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, each representing a significant ancestral house in the monarch's lineage. The White Horse of Hanover, struck in 2020, is the ninth design in the ten-part collection, celebrating the royal connection to the German House of Hanover. Minted in .9999 fine gold and offered in Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) condition, this quarter-ounce coin combines investment-grade bullion content with numismatic artistry and historical symbolism.
The origin of the Queen’s Beasts traces to the ten imposing statues sculpted by James Woodford, which were placed outside Westminster Abbey during Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. Each beast was chosen for its association with the Queen’s ancestry, representing a heraldic emblem from different royal houses. The White Horse of Hanover, introduced to the British royal arms in 1714 with the accession of George I, commemorates the union between the United Kingdom and the Electorate of Hanover. This horse symbolized Hanover’s authority and legitimacy in British heraldry until Queen Victoria’s ascension in 1837, when Salic law prevented her from inheriting the Hanoverian throne, thereby ending the personal union between the two crowns.
The coin’s reverse design was created by Jody Clark, the Royal Mint’s celebrated engraver and designer of the fifth definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. His interpretation of the White Horse of Hanover features the muscular, rampant white steed rearing above a shield. The shield is emblazoned with quartered arms representing England (three lions), Scotland (a single rampant lion), Ireland (a harp), and the Kingdom of Hanover (a horse and crown). Clark’s attention to detail in the horse’s sinews, mane, and powerful stance evokes strength and nobility, while the intricate heraldic devices on the shield reflect dynastic unity. In BU condition, the coin retains the precision of the original die strike, with sharp details and lustrous fields that enhance the depth of the design.
The obverse of the coin bears the fifth official effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, also by Jody Clark, introduced in 2015. The portrait captures the monarch in maturity, wearing the George IV State Diadem, surrounded by the legend “ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 25 POUNDS.” The denomination of 25 pounds is nominal, underscoring the coin’s legal tender status in the United Kingdom. The obverse’s clarity and refined presentation reflect modern minting standards, with frosted details contrasting against a brilliant background. In BU condition, the portrait is unmarred by circulation wear or abrasions, retaining its full brilliance and clarity.
The 2020 White Horse of Hanover gold coin was struck by The Royal Mint to exacting specifications using .9999 (24-karat) fine gold, with a diameter of 22 millimeters and a weight of 7.78 grams. Unlike some numismatic gold coins that incorporate copper or silver for added durability, this piece contains pure gold, making it especially attractive to bullion investors and collectors alike. The coin’s edge is reeded, a feature designed to deter clipping and fraud historically, and its milled finish enhances the tactile and visual quality of the coin in hand.
While The Royal Mint does not release exact mintage figures for the 1/4 oz. Queen’s Beasts gold coins immediately, demand for the series has consistently been strong, both domestically and internationally. The Queen’s Beasts collection has gained wide acclaim not only for its artistry but also for its low mintages relative to demand, particularly in fractional weights like the 1/4 oz. coin. As one of the later entries in the series, the 2020 White Horse of Hanover often benefits from heightened interest by collectors seeking to complete full sets, making these coins more difficult to acquire on the secondary market in pristine BU condition.
In Brilliant Uncirculated condition, the 2020 White Horse of Hanover displays no evidence of wear and is struck with precision that preserves every contour of the artwork. Such coins may have minor contact marks from the minting and packaging process, but these are typically faint and do not detract from the overall visual appeal. Most specimens exhibit strong luster, sharp edge detail, and clear delineation between the raised devices and flat fields. Collectors and investors value BU coins for their near-mint condition and full bullion weight, making them suitable for both portfolio diversification and long-term numismatic appreciation.
The Queen’s Beasts series has become one of the most beloved modern British coin programs, rivaling earlier series such as the Britannia and the Sovereign in popularity. Each coin in the series tells a story, linking the present-day monarchy with centuries of royal heraldry, myth, and national identity. The White Horse of Hanover stands out within the series for its historical significance, representing a pivotal dynastic shift and the expansion of Britain’s royal connections into continental Europe. It also marks the penultimate release before the concluding “White Greyhound of Richmond,” adding to its importance in a complete Queen’s Beasts set.
Overall, the 2020 1/4 oz. British Gold Coin Queen's Beast – The White Horse of Hanover (BU) represents a masterful fusion of fine gold content, historical narrative, and modern minting excellence. It appeals to both investors seeking .9999 fine fractional gold and collectors drawn to the artistry and symbolism of the heraldic designs. As part of a highly acclaimed series, and with its distinctive theme and superb condition, this coin is a standout issue that will continue to hold its appeal in the years to come. Whether held as a collectible, a hedge, or a piece of British heritage, it embodies the enduring legacy of the monarchy and the craftsmanship of The Royal Mint.