A rare Queen Victoria gold coin is expected to make £600,000 at auction.

The £5 coin – a “Victoria Una and the Lion” – represents the young Queen leading the British Empire.

It was struck in 1839 – only two years after Victoria became monarch.

It was designed by William Wyon, chief engraver at the Royal Mint from 1828 to 1851.

Only 400 were minted.

Una is the heroine in The Faerie Queene poem written in 1590 by Edmund Spenser.

Una is the embodiment of Truth.

The coin is being sold at Heritage Auctions in Dallas, Texas.

A Heritage spokesperson said:

“The Una and the Lion is one of the most iconic types of British numismatics and has long been considered a ‘trophy coin’ that a lot of collectors seek to get, even if they don’t specialise in British coins.

“It shows the young Victoria as Una, only 20 years old but still radiating power and poise, leading the lion, a representation of the British Empire.

“With a total population numbering just in the hundreds, demand is always very high when they come to market.

“This is the finest example of this type of coin and is of outstanding visual quality, so its sale is an absolutely monumental occasion.”