2008 United Kingdom £1 BU Coin "Royal Arms"

• Mint: British Royal Mint
• Denomination: £1
• Quality: Brilliant Uncirculated
• Issue limit: 100,000
• Alloy: Base Metal
• Diameter: 22.5 mm
• Weight: 9.5 grams
• Artist: Eric Sewell
• Box/Capsule: No/Blister
• Certificate: Printed Folder

In 2008, the £1 coin features on its reverse the finely detailed Royal Arms in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the modern £1 coin.

The original reverse design of the £1 coin, introduced into circulation in 1983, bore the Royal Arms with lion and unicorn supporters, a symbol of the Queen's sovereignty over the whole of the United Kingdom. This finely detailed depiction of the Royal Arms was created by Eric Sewell, a former Chief Engraver of the Royal Mint, and appears once again on the £1 coin on this occasion of its 25th anniversary. The whole is surrounded by 100 beads reflecting the 100 pennies that make up £1. On the edge of the coin is the crossed crosslet mintmark of Llantrisant and the Latin inscription "DECUS ET TUTAMEN" (an ornament and a safeguard), which first appeared on the edge of coins of Charles II to deter the unscrupulous practice of clipping and shaving precious metal from the coins.

The Royal Arms, with lion and unicorn supporters, also incorporates the famous motto of the Order of the Garter "HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE" (Shame upon him who thinks evil of it), and, in a decorative banner, the words "DIEU ET MON DROIT" (God and my right), the motto of English monarchs since Henry V.

The coin is displayed in an attractive folder rich in imagery and information on the numismatic history of the Royal Arms.

Additional Information

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