The latest UK heraldic animal to appear in The Royal Mint's series of commemorative coins is King Edward III's griffin.

The body of the mythical griffin combines the features of an eagle and a lion - most often depicted with an eagle's head, neck, wings and talons and a lion's torso, hind legs and tail. His character is also the result of the combination of these two animals - he is clever and strong, which makes him ruler of heaven and earth. Legends say that wherever the griffin settles, no one can drive it away, and so it has come to personify toughness, endurance and determination to defend its home. In the Middle Ages, the noble creature was seen as a symbol of Jesus Christ, the King of kings, therefore became a grateful subject for noble heraldry. King Edward III of England - one of the most prominent rulers in the history of the island kingdom - chose it for his personal seal. His reign in the 14th century was long, marked by the development of law and government, but also by the plague and the outbreak of the Hundred Years' War.

On the reverse side of the coin, designer Jody Clark has depicted a majestic griffin with its claw resting on a shield-shaped coat of arms. This presents Windsor Castle, where Edward III was born, with his royal standard, oak branches and royal crown. The obverse side of the coin bears the attributes of the issuer - i.e. the nomial value of 5 POUNDS (GBP), a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and the text 'ELIZABETH II D G REG FID DEF' (Elizabeth II, by the grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith).

The coin includes special packaging that tells its story in words - in English - and in pictures.