Obverse. Photo © Coinscatalog.NET
  • 1 Pound 2008, Sp# J18C, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Regional Bridges, Forth Bridge in Scotland
  • 1 Pound 2008, Sp# J18C, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Regional Bridges, Forth Bridge in Scotland
Description

The British Royal Mint was celebrating the 25th anniversary of the decimal £1 coin with two special 14-coin proof collector sets. The rare commemorative 22-carat gold proof set and the .925 sterling silver proof collection each bear reverse designs that have been used on pound coins during the last twenty-five years.

The special limited issue of Forth Bridge in Scotland £1 Silver Proof Coin struck in solid 0.925 Sterling Silver and plated in 24 Carat Gold.

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·2008
IRB

Reverse

Depicts Forth Railway Bridge surrounded by railway tracks.

The Forth Bridge is a cantilever railway bridge over the Firth of Forth in the east of Scotland, 9 miles (14 km) west of Edinburgh City Centre. It is considered an iconic structure and a symbol of Scotland, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was designed by the English engineers Sir John Fowler and Sir Benjamin Baker.

Construction of the bridge began in 1882 and it was opened on 4 March 1890 by the Prince of Wales, the future Edward VII.

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, Silver Proof Gold Plated Coin

Regional Bridges
Forth Bridge in Scotland

Subscribe series
Sp# J18C
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Gold Plated Silver
Weight 9.5 g
Diameter 22.5 mm
Thickness 3.15 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Mint

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