The Angel 1/4 oz Gold 2026 Proof
The Angel 1/4 oz Gold 2026 Proof is a collector coin struck by The Royal Mint from one quarter ounce of 999.9 fine gold, with a diameter of 22.00 mm and a mass of 7.80 g, carrying a face value of 25 pounds sterling. It belongs to the contemporary “The Angel” series, a new reworking of one of the most renowned types of European gold coinage, whose origins date back to the reign of Edward IV in the 15th century, when the angel replaced the larger noble coin. The limited edition for this version is 750 pieces, with a maximum possible mintage of 760 coins, which lends the issue a distinctly collectible character, especially desirable in the segment of fractional gold denominations.
The Angel 1/4 oz Gold 2026 Proof refers to the old tradition of treating the angel as a coin of protective significance, used in royal touch ceremonies during which it was believed that the monarch could impart a measure of divine grace and relieve those suffering from scrofula. Historic specimens were sometimes pierced and worn on a white ribbon, reinforcing their function as a talisman accompanying the owner, and the reputation of a “guardian coin” became an integral part of the angel’s legend. The modern 2026 interpretation combines this rich historical context with the highest proof minting standard, offering a compact quarter‑ounce format valued by collectors as an accessible entry point into the series of gold angels.Obverse features the current portrait of the monarch by Martin Jennings, surrounded by a legend including the ruler’s name, titles, and the face value, in a style consistent with other contemporary collector issues from The Royal Mint.
Reverse depicts Archangel Michael in a dynamic scene battling the dragon, the embodiment of Satan, in a modern rendering by Sandra Deiana, who, on the small surface of the quarter‑ounce coin, recreated the classic angel motif with pronounced relief and a strong contrast between frosted and mirror‑polished fields characteristic of the proof standard.