1984-1987 Silver Proof PIEDFORT £1 Collection (4 coins)

By Royal Proclamation of 22nd June 1983, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II authorised four new designs for the reverse of the one-pound coin.  The four designs, adopted in turn for the years 1984-1987, represent Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England.

To commemorate this significant occasion in the history of the United Kingdom coinage, the Royal Mint issued 15,000 proof Piedfort coins in silver of each design.  Within this low issue limit, a number have been reserved for inclusion in a four-coin collection case.  Piedfort coins are coins which have been specially struck on thicker than normal blanks.

The reverse designs, all including the Royal Diadem, show a thistle for Scotland, a leek for Wales, a flax plant for Northern Ireland and an oak tree for England.  These are the work of distinguished silversmith, Leslie Durbin.  The obverse of the Scottish coin bears the Arnold Machin portrait of The Queen, while the new effigy by Raphael Maklouf appears on the other three coins.

The edge inscription on the Scottish coin reads Nemo Me Impune Lacessit, (no-one provokes me with impunity) and on the Welsh coin Pleidio Wyf I'm Gwlad (true am I to my country).  The coins representing Northern Ireland and England have the traditional words Decus et Tutamen (an ornament and a safeguard).

Specifications

Denomination - One Pound (Silver Proof Piedfort)

Alloy - Sterling Silver

Weight - 19.00 grammes

Diameter - 22.5 mm

Limit Issue - 15,000

The 4 £1 Silver Proof Piedfort coins are incapsulated and presented in their original red Royal Mint case with the Silver medallion and detailed certificate.