Description

The Royal Mint has launched a gold and silver bullion product entitled “Myths and Legends,” which is inspired by a collection of tales originating from Britain’s rich past of storytellers. The first coins that launched the series in 2021 were dedicated to the folklore of Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest. First, in a series of 3 bullion issues, the others being Maid Marian and Little John.

Little John is a companion of Robin Hood who serves as his chief lieutenant and second-in-command of the Merry Men. He is one of only a handful of consistently named characters who relate to Robin Hood and one of the two oldest Merry Men, alongside Much the Miller's Son. His name is an ironic reference to his giant frame, as he is usually portrayed in legend as a huge warrior – a 7-foot-tall (2.1-metre) master of the quarterstaff. In folklore, he fought Robin Hood on a tree bridge across a river on their first meeting.

Engraver: Jody Clark