Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint
  • 1 Pound 1996, KM# P23, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Heraldic Emblems, Celtic Cross
  • 1 Pound 1996, KM# P23, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Heraldic Emblems, Celtic Cross
Description

A piedfort is an unusually thick coin, often exactly twice the normal weight and thickness of other coins of the same diameter and pattern. Piedforts are not normally circulated, and are only struck for presentation purposes by mint officials (such as patterns), or for collectors, dignitaries, and other VIPs.

Obverse

Third crowned portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the George IV State Diadem.

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.

From 1985 to 1991 the head of Queen Elizabeth II was a slightly smaller size. From 1993 to 1997 the head was a slightly larger size. The change over was made part way through 1992 so there are two versions in this year. 1997 has small varieties in design of the portrait.

Engraver: Raphael David Maklouf

ELIZABETH II D·G·REG·F·D·1996
RDM

Reverse

A richly decorated Celtic-style cross, surmounted by the famous Broighter collar. At the centre of the design lies a pimpernel, the flower which flourishes around Lough Neagh.

The Broighter Gold or more correctly, the Broighter Hoard, is a hoard of gold artefacts from the Iron Age of the 1st century BC that were found in 1896 by Tom Nicholl and James Morrow on farmland near Limavady, in the north of Ireland (now Northern Ireland). The hoard includes a 7-inch-long (18 cm) gold boat, a gold torc and bowl and some other jewellery. A design from the hoard has been used as an image on the 1996 issue of the Northern Ireland British one-pound coins.

Engraver: Norman Sillman

ONE POUND

Edge

The coin’s edge inscription is in Latin ‘DECUS ET TUTAMEN’ which may be translated as an ‘ornament to safeguard’. This inscription refers to itself, as it is decorative and protects the coin from being easily counterfeited.

DECUS ET TUTAMEN

1 Pound

3rd portrait, Silver Proof Piedfort Coin
KM# P23 Sp# J11
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.925
Weight 19 g
Diameter 22.5 mm
Thickness 5.2 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Mint

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