Obverse: the obverse features the fifth official portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, created by British artist and engraver Jody Clark. The Queen is depicted facing right and wearing the Royal Diamond Diadem. Surrounding the portrait is the inscription “ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 100 POUNDS”, identifying the monarch and the coin’s face value of 100 pounds.
Reverse: the reverse depicts the White Greyhound of Richmond standing on its hind legs and supporting a heraldic shield with its front paws. The shield bears the crowned Tudor Rose, symbolising the union of the Houses of Lancaster and York. Surrounding the design are the inscriptions “WHITE GREYHOUND OF RICHMOND”, “1 OZ”, “FINE PLATINUM”, the platinum fineness “999.5” and the year of issue “2022”. The initials “JC” of designer Jody Clark appear at the bottom.
About the coin: the 2022 White Greyhound of Richmond platinum coin belongs to the renowned British “The Queen’s Beasts” bullion series and represents the tenth and final main design of the series. The collection was inspired by the ten heraldic statues that stood outside Westminster Abbey during the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, representing different branches of her royal ancestry. The White Greyhound of Richmond is associated with English royal heraldry and particularly with Henry VII, while the crowned Tudor Rose on its shield represents the union of the Houses of Lancaster and York. Struck by The Royal Mint from 999.5 fine platinum, the coin contains 1 troy ounce (31.1035 g) of pure platinum, measures 32.69 mm in diameter and has a face value of 100 pounds sterling.
