Scottish Unicorn - 1 Oz - Silver Collector Coin

The Scottish unicorn is Scotland's national animal. The unicorn is a legendary creature that has been described since ancient times as having one large, pointed, spiraling horn protruding from its forehead.

In heraldry, the unicorn is best known as a symbol of Scotland: the unicorn was believed to be the natural enemy of the lion, a symbol that had been adopted by the English kings a century or so earlier. Two unicorns supported the royal arms of the King of Scotland and the Duke of Rothesay, and since the unification of England and Scotland in 1707, the royal arms of the United Kingdom have been supported by a unicorn together with the English lion. There are two versions of the royal arms: the version used in Scotland places more emphasis on Scottish elements, placing the unicorn on the left and giving it a crown, while the version used in England and elsewhere places more emphasis on English elements. John Guillim in his book A Display of Heraldry depicted the unicorn as a symbol of power, honour and respect.

In the 15th and 16th centuries, gold coins known as the unicorn and half-unicorn, both with a unicorn on the obverse, were used in Scotland. In the same empire, carved unicorns were often used as finials on the columns of Mercat crosses to indicate that it was a royal burgh. Some noblemen, such as the Earl of Kinnoull, were given special permission to use unicorns in their arms as a mark of honour. In the arms of the Cunningham clan is the head of a unicorn.