New Pound Coin “Flora” Series Offered in Gold and Silver

The Royal Mint have launched (16^th July) the precious metals versions of the recently released “Flora” design series for the reverse side of the circulating pound coins.

The Pound coin, which celebrates a 30^th anniversary this year, has been the featured coin in the United Kingdom for various emblem and landmark designs first initiated in 1984. This year, two coins issued in the four coin set represent England on one coin and Wales on the other – and next year, the two designs will include those for Northern Ireland and Scotland, completing the series.

The “Flora” coin series is the work of Timothy Noad, renowned numismatic and medallic artist and Fellow of the Society of Scribes and Illuminators. The coin for England is represented by an oak branch with acorn along with a Tudor-inspired rose, the oak being indicative of integrity and strength, and the rose symbolizing beauty and majesty. The coin has the Latin edge inscription DECUS ET TUTAMEN meaning ‘an ornament and a safeguard’, which was first seen on the coins of Charles II.

The design for the Wales £1 coin, includes the leek with the daffodil. The leek has long symbolized Wales, and is said to have been used by Welsh patron saint, St David, to distinguish his men in battle. It is today used as the Badge of the Welsh Guards. It is thought that the daffodil came to symbolize Wales by means of a simple translation error, since its name in Welsh, Cenhinen Pedr, is similar to the Welsh for leek, Cenhinen. The edge inscription in Welsh reads PLEIDIOL WYF I’M GWLAD meaning ‘True am I to my country’. The obverse of the flora series £1 coins features the current portrait of Her Majesty the Queen by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS.

Various presentation options offered, For more information on this and other coins offered by the royal Mint, including additional coins celebrating the launch of the pound coin and its 30^th anniversary, please visit the website of the Royal Mint at: http://www.royalmint.com/our-coins/ranges/floral-1-pound-coin-series Information offered in English, international orders fulfilled.