2003 Silver Proof £1

The one pound coin for 2003 displays the Royal Arms, Britain's noblest heraldic emblem.  In their present form the Royal Arms remain essentially those of Queen Victoria and today represent the Queen's sovereignty over the whole of the United Kingdom.  

Created for the original one pound coin of 1983, the finely detailed depiction of the Royal Arms is by Eric Sewell.  The obverse carries the portrait of Her Majesty the Queen, the fourth to feature on the circulating coinage since Her Majesty's accession in 1952.  The powerful design, capturing the Queen in a realistic profile, is the work of sculptor and medallist Ian Rank-Broadley.

Specification

This one pound coin weigns 9.50 grammes, measures 22.50 millimetres in diameter and is struck to the highest Proof quality in sterling (.925) silver.  Only 25,000 silver Proof one pound coins have been authorised for worldwide distribution.

It is thought that the three lions device may have come from Normandy, but it was Richard the Lionheart who, especially during the Crusades, used three golden lions on a scarlet background as a powerful symbol of the English throne.  They appeared later on Richard's second Great Seal and thereafter they have been known heraldically as "England" and, as such, have featured in the Royal Arms of every succeeding monarch.

In 1997, when the three lions first graced the reverse of the one pound coin, they were accompanied by the portrait of Her Majesty the Queen by Raphael Maklouf.  For 2002, however, the obverse carries the portrait by Ian Rank-Broadley.  As with the previous one pound coins for England, the edge inscription reads DECUS ET TUTAMEN, meaning "an ornament and a safeguard".

Struck to the highest Royal Mint Proof standard in sterling .925 silver, this one pound coin weighs 9.50 grammes and measures 22.50 millimetres in diameter.  Only 25,000 of these superb coins were made available for worldwide distribution.

The 2003 silver proof one pound coin is encapsulated and housed in the original box, complete with certificate of authenticity.

An essential addition for the Silver collectors amongst you.