1997 One Pound

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One £1 coin was issued in 1997, the theme was England.

Obverse Type 2 (bust design by Raphael Maklouf):

1pound1986obv

Reverse Type 10 (design by Norman Sillman):

1pound1997threelions

Edge: DECUS ET TUTAMEN.

Mintage for Circulation: 57,117,450.

Collectability/Scarcity: 1 (for scale details see here)

The story behind the design:

The obverse portrait of the Queen by Raphael Maklouf was used on all UK circulated coinage from 1985 to 1997 and was the third portrait of the Queen used on coinage.

The reverse design shows the three English lions, part of the heraldic series by Norman Sillman. The edge inscription ‘DECUS ET TUTAMEN’ is Latin for ‘An ornament and safeguard’ and was originally used on coins so that the public could tell that the edge was complete, and therefore that the coin was of good weight (without clipped edges).

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