2008 £1 Silver Proof - 25th Anniversary of the £1

LIMITED EDITION - NUMBER 033 of 450

25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE £1 COMMEMORATIVE SILVER COIN COVER

The 25th anniversary of the introduction of the present £1 coin falls in 2008.  In fact, the pound coin goes back to the Anglo Saxon King Offa who introduced a pound of 240 pennies.  King VII introduced a £1 sovereign, which fell in and out of favour, but was reintroduced in the form of the current gold sovereign in 1816.  In 1914 the Treasury issued a £1 note to replace the gold sovereign and these were in use until 1928 when Bank of England notes replaced them.

Since 1983, the Royal Mint has issued 14 different reverse designs of the pound coin.  They produced new designs in 1994 and again from 2004.  They have also used five different edge inscriptions, the most common being "DECUS ET TUTAMEN" (An Ornament and a Safeguard).  The mint has issued three different obverse types: the first portrait from 1983-1984, the second portrait from 1985-1997 and the third portrait from 1998.

It is estimated that around 1.5 billion £1 coins are in circulation.

The cover features a 2008 Royal Mint Silver Proof Ornamental Royal Arms £1 coin design.  Complemented with a Royal Mail first class flag definitive stamp, postmarked 21st April 2008 - 25 years ago since the £1 was introduced to the day.

The coin is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and presented in a black folder.