The William Wyon collection
![Una and the lion five-pound piece](/siteassets/collection/coins/una-and-the-lion-coin.jpg?width=800)
Una and the lion five-pound piece
The gold five-pound piece of 1839 is arguably one of the most beautiful coins in the world.
![Sir Joseph Banks Medal](/siteassets/collection/medals/sir-joseph-banks-medal.jpg?width=800)
Sir Joseph Banks Medal
The fine portrait medal illustrated here by William Wyon is of Sir Joseph Banks, the famous naturalist and President of the Royal Society.
![China Medal](/siteassets/collection/medals/china-medal-2.jpg?width=800)
China Medal
The original design for the China Medal of the early 1840s, by William Wyon, depicted a crowned British Lion standing over a defeated Chinese Dragon.
![Wax model of Britannia](/siteassets/collection/artwork-and-models/teasers/wax-britannia.jpg?width=800)
Wax model of Britannia
The designers of coins and medals work in many different ways. Some carve directly into plaster, some model in clay or wax.
![Una and the Lion impression](/siteassets/collection/artwork-and-models/teasers/una-and-the-lion-impression.jpg?width=800)
Una and the Lion impression
As well as the finished struck coin or medal, the museum collection contains pieces that reveal how particular designs evolved.
![Great Exhibition plaster model](/siteassets/collection/artwork-and-models/teasers/great-exhibition-plaster-model.jpg?width=800)
Great Exhibition plaster model
One of the oldest plaster models in the Royal Mint Museum dates back to the mid-19th century and is as spectacular as the medal to which it relates.
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![William Wyon](/siteassets/journal/people/william-wyon/wyon-teaser.jpg?width=800)
William Wyon
Wyon's enduring reputation rests largely on his coin and medal portraits of Queen Victoria.
![Janvier Reducing Machine](/siteassets/journal/curators-corner/reducing-machine/janvier-teaser.jpg?width=800)
Janvier Reducing Machine
In the Museum we have several reducing machines which were once integral to the process of minting.
![Curator's Cabinet](/siteassets/collection/coins/coin-teaser-v2.jpg?width=800)
Curator's Cabinet
Find out more about our collection from the people responsible for its care and interpretation.