The Royal Mint of the UK introduces ten heraldic animals of the Royal House of Tudor gradually. The second commemorative coin in the collector's series is dedicated to the English lion.

The English lion is one of the oldest and most famous animals in heraldry. A personification of pride and courage, the beast became a royal symbol as early as the 12th century and became part of the English coat of arms. The statue of an English lion, which adorns the bridge over the moat in front of the old royal palace of Hampton Court, holds a shield. It presents the joined arms of Henry VIII and his third wife, Jane Seymour, symbolising the strength of their marriage.

The reverse side of the coin, which is the work of artist David Lawrence, presents a majestic lion. His head is adorned with a royal crown and he holds a shield in his paws. The obverse side of the coin is dedicated to the attributes of the issuer - i.e. the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, the text ELIZABETH II D G REG FID DEF (Elizabeth II, Queen by the Grace of God, Defender of the Faith) and the nominal value of 5 POUNDS (GBP).

The commemorative coin, made of base metal, is stored in a special packaging that tells its story in words and pictures (in English).