2023 Merlin 1 oz Gold Bullion Coin

The 2023 Merlin 1 oz Gold Bullion Coins are part of The Royal Mint's Myths and Legends Series, which showcases legendary beings of British mythology. In the Arthurian legend, Merlin is often portrayed as a potent mage with great power and wisdom. According to the Myth, Merlin served as Arthur's mentor, guiding him on his journey to become the noble King of Camelot. Ultimately, in several versions of the tale, his fate is unknown, with rumors that he was imprisoned for eternity in a cave or tree.

• Manufactured by The Royal Mint
• 24 carat gold
• 999.9 fineness
• Contains 1 troy ounce (31.1035g) of the precious metal
• Exempt from Capital Gains Tax & VAT
• Weight: 31.21g
• Diameter: 32.69mm

The reverse shows a depiction of Merlin holding his iconic magical staff, with an owl called Archimedes perched on his shoulder. In the field of the coin, the infamous Glastonbury Tor can be seen, which inspired the island of Avalon. These coins are also the first in the King Arthur series to feature the portrait of King Charles III on the obverse.

See Our Myths & Legends Collection

Who was Merlin in the Arthurian Legend?

The legend of King Arthur features a mythical figure known as Merlin, who is primarily recognised for serving as Arthur's mentor. In the story, Merlin is a mage who was instructed by King Uther to escort his son to safety due to a Saxon invasion of Britain. The fate of King Uther is open to interpretation, but the story invariably depicts the once-powerful monarch and defender of his people as either slain in battle or assassinated.

Merlin then assumes the role of Arthur's mentor and paternal figure, ensuring that the young man is prepared to rule Camelot as its king. Throughout the tale, Merlin observes as Arthur successfully extracts the magical sword Excalibur from a stone, thereby establishing himself as a noble and formidable ruler.

What is the Myths and Legends Royal Mint Series?

Myths and Legends is a series of gold and silver bullion coins, issued by the Royal Mint. It features some of the most legendary mythical characters.

The obverse features Martin Jennings first portrait definitive portrait of HM King Charles III.

The text surrounding reads:

CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 100 POUNDS ·

The reverse shows Merlin, holding a magic staff, with an owl perched upon his shoulder. The mythical island of Avalon appears in the background. The coin was designed by illustrator, David Lawrence. The text reads:

MERLIN · FINE GOLD · 999.9  · 2023