Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint
  • 1 Pound 2015-2016, KM# 1340, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II
  • 1 Pound 2015-2016, KM# 1340, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II
  • 1 Pound 2015-2016, KM# 1340, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Royal Shield reverse designs
Description

The circulating UK coins, excepting the two-pound coin, were redesigned in 2008, keeping the sizes and compositions unchanged, but introducing reverse designs that each depict a part of the Royal Shield of Arms and form (most of) the whole shield when they are placed together in the appropriate arrangement. The exception, the 2008 one-pound coin, depicts the entire shield of arms on the reverse.

Obverse

The fifth crowned portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the George IV State Diadem and drop earrings.

The George IV State Diadem, officially the Diamond Diadem, is a type of crown that was made in 1820 for King George IV. The diadem is worn by queens and queens consort in procession to coronations and State Openings of Parliament. The piece of jewellery has been featured in paintings and on stamps and currency. It can be seen in the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace.

ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FIDEI DEFENSATRIX means Elizabeth II, by the grace of God, Queen and Defender of the Faith.

Engraver: Jody Clark

ELIZABETH II·DEI·GRA·REG·FID·DEF·2016·
J.C

Reverse

The design depicts the whole of the Royal Shield of Arms.

Engraver: Matthew Dent

ONE POUND

Edge

DECUS ET TUTAMEN — Latin for "An ornament and a safeguard", a phrase taken from Virgil's Aeneid, and here referring to the fact that the inscription serves both as a decorative feature and as a safeguard against the clipping of the coin's edges (this is not a modern concern, but harks back to the days when circulating coins were made of precious metals). This appears on coins with English-themed, Northern Irish-themed or general UK-themed designs.

DECUS ET TUTAMEN

1 Pound

5th portrait, Royal Shield
KM# 1340 Sp# J36
Characteristics
Material Nickel Brass
Weight 9.5 g
Diameter 22.5 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Mint

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