Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint
  • 1 Pound 2006-2008, KM# 1059b, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Regional Bridges, Egyptian Arch Bridge in Northern Ireland
  • 1 Pound 2006-2008, KM# 1059b, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Regional Bridges, Egyptian Arch Bridge in Northern Ireland
Description

The British £1 coin, struck in 22-carat gold by The Royal Mint. This coin was later released again in 2008 in a special commemorative set, to celebrate 25 years of the £1 coin.

Obverse

Fourth crowned portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara.

The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara was a wedding present in 1947 from her grandmother, Queen Mary, who received it as a gift from the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland in 1893 on the occasion of her marriage to the Duke of York, later George V. Made by E. Wolfe & Co., it was purchased from Garrard & Co. by a committee organised by Lady Eve Greville. In 1914, Mary adapted the tiara to take 13 diamonds in place of the large oriental pearls surmounting the tiara. At first, Elizabeth wore the tiara without its base and pearls but the base was reattached in 1969. The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara is one of Elizabeth's most recognisable pieces of jewellery due to its widespread use on British banknotes and coinage.

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

Engraver: Ian Rank-Broadley

ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·2006
IRB

Reverse

Depicts Egyptian Arch railway bridge surrounded by railway station canopy dags.

A representation of the Egyptian Arch railway bridge at Newry in Northern Ireland, inside a border of railway station canopy dags.

Macneill's Egyptian Arch is a railway bridge in Newry, Northern Ireland. Construction was completed in 1851 for the Dublin and Belfast Junction Railway Company and was the result of collaboration between engineer Sir John Macneill and constructor William Dargan. Locally known as the Egyptian Arch, the rail bridge passes over the Newry–Camlough Road, in the County Armagh half of Newry. It is located approximately 2 miles from the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland on the Dublin–Belfast railway line.

The Egyptian Arch gained its name from its resemblance to the nemes headdress worn by Ancient Egyptian pharaohs.

Engraver: Edwina Ellis

ONE POUND

Edge

Reeded with a decorative pattern (two overlapping lines, one curved and one angular) symbolising bridges and pathways.

1 Pound

4th portrait, Gold Proof Coin

Regional Bridges
Egyptian Arch Bridge in Northern Ireland

Subscribe series
KM# 1059b Sp# J20
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Gold
Fineness 0.9167
Weight 19.62 g
Diameter 22.5 mm
Thickness 3.15 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Mint

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