United Kingdom. New Gold and Silver Bullion Coins Launches Legendary Creatures Series

The first theme in the series discovers and highlights one of Scotland’s most captivating and perhaps unique cryptids, the Loch Ness monster. The first design in a new series presents a coin celebrating this mythical Scottish creature. One of the most memorable tales of Scottish legend explores the mystery of the Loch Ness monster, an elusive cryptid thought to inhabit Loch Ness. Although sightings can be dated back through the centuries, the story of the Loch Ness monster gained widespread attention in 1934 after the circulation of the ‘surgeon’s photograph’, as well as numerous alleged sightings. Known affectionately as Nessie, and often described as large, long-necked and with one or more humps protruding from the water, the legend of the monster spans back centuries.

It is believed the legend began with its ancient roots and the first recorded story involves Irish Monk St. Columba in 565 AD, who encountered a ‘water beast’ in the River or, Loch Ness and commanded it to leave. For years, the legend was simply content to remain just that, a story for locals to speculate about. However, Nessie gained both national and international attention when an amazing photograph came to the attention of the news media more than 90 years ago. Published in the Daily Mail in April 1934, is the most iconic, albeit faked, image of the Loch Ness Monster, allegedly showing its head and neck was attributed to Physician Robert Kenneth Wilson. It wasn’t for many years later that photograph was proven to be a fake,

involving a toy submarine, wood putty and cropped to hide the small scale of the object. It was later determined the photograph was taken in another area far from Loch Ness. Despite years of modern scientific investigations concluding that since finding no evidence of any sea creature, the myth of Nessie is eagerly kept alive as a major tourist draw with many sightings still attributed to misidentified objects. Perhaps they’re just illusions or maybe a shy creature who has successfully managed to skilfully avoid detection for all these years – we may never know!

Designed by artist Dan Thorne, the reverse of the coin depicts the illusive Loch Mess monster through an intricate design. Nessie is seen emerging from the water of the lake in a ferocious stance. In the background, a row boat with its rider can be seen rowing away in a hasty departure while ruins of the Castle Urquhart are shown on the right side. Above the primary design and along the upper rim is the text LOCH NESS MONSTER. Below Nessie are the coins’ specifications 1oz 999.9 FINE GOLD · 2026 or, 1oz 999 FINE SILVER · 2026. The obverse side includes the effigy of HM King Charles III created by sculptor Martin Jennings. The denomination 100 POUNDS (gold) or 2 POUNDS (silver) appears on the obverse as part of the legend surrounding the King’s likeness.

Each 1 oz. gold and silver coin is individually encapsulated and available as a separate coin purchase. Alternatively, they are also available in multiples of tens (gold) or twenty five pieces (silver) and packaged in tubes. For additional information on these and other Royal Mint bullion coins, please visit their retail website.