1984 UK PIEDFORT SCOTTISH THISTLE ONE POUND SILVER PROOF COIN

In 1984, the Royal Mint have struck a Limited Issue Piedfort solid Silver Proof £1 One Pound Coin. The reverse is the Scottish Thistle designed by Leslie Durbin and the obverse is a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II designed by Arnold Machin. Piedforts are coins which have been specially struck on thicker than normal blanks. As their name suggests they are closely associated with France, where from the twelfth century they were apparently issued by the Kings as presentation pieces. In Britain the practise of striking piedforts is later and less frequent, but medieval and Tudor examples are known. These legal tender coins have been struck to proof quality using specially prepared dies and highly polished blanks.

Presented: Original Royal Mint Box with it's Certificate of Authenticity