1996 UK Coin £1 Silver Proof Celtic Cross

This1996 Celtic Cross silver proof one pound coin designed by Norman Sillman symbolises Northern Ireland. This is the third series of national emblem one pound coins issued between 1994 to 1997. This proof coin is struck in sterling silver and comes in a presentation box with a certificate of authenticity.

The edge is not only milled but also inscribed. The Latin inscription DECUS ET TUTAMEN translates to "an ornament and a safeguard". This inscription dates back to the first machine-struck coins minted in 1662 and was a device to prevent "clipping", and was used on the first pound coin in 1983.

Wales has a population of approximately 2.75 million and covers about one twelfth of the land area of the The edge is not only milled but also inscribed. The inscription in Welsh reads:-PLEIDIOL, WYF I'M GWLAD. Which means "True am I to my country".

On the milled edge of the coin is the Llantrisant mint mark - a cross crosslet. The shape of the cross alluding to Llantrisant, which translated from the Welsh means "Church or Parish of the Three Saints".

On 28 March 2017, the circulated round pound was replaced by the 12 sided £1 coin. On the 15 October the round £1 coin will cease to be legal tender. Read more about the pound coin in our blogs:

One Pound Coin Designs, The Complete Collection 1983 - 2017

Introducing the New 12 Sided One Pound Coin

One Pound Coin Specifications

Why Did They Make 2016 12 Sided £1 Coins?

What is a 2016 Twelve Sided New £1 Pound Coin Worth?

The obverse bears the third portrait of The Queen, used from 1985 to 1997, by Raphael David Maklouf.

A representation of the Broighter collar over a Celtic cross with a pimpernel at its centre.
The design is the work of engraver Norman Sillman.

According to the information published by the Royal Mint which accompanies the 1996 proof coin sets:-

• "Britain's premier circulating coin for 1996 honours Northern Ireland and is the third in a new series representing the four constituent parts of the united Kingdom.
  The intricate reverse design has been created by Norman Sillman who, in featuring an ornate Celtic-style cross, has reached deep into the history of Northern Ireland. The richly decorated cross provides the background to a representation of the famous Celtic collar found in 1896 by a ploughman at Broighter, County Londonderry. This beautiful Broighter collar, one of seven gold objects deposited by Irish Iron Age people about the first century BC, was probably an offering to the Irish sea-god Manannán mac Lir.
  At the centre of the design lies a pimpernel, the lovely yellow flower which flourishes around Lough Neagh, the great inland freshwater lake to which are linked five of Northern Ireland's six counties."

More About the Broighter Collar
We are grateful for information we found at "http://www.argonet.co.uk/users/tudor/english/gold.html" a website entitled "Welcome to Limavday and the Roe Valley", by Jochen Lueg, a surprisingly un-Irish name!:-

• "After the Celtic invasion Ireland became known for the quality of its metal work. One of the most important examples of that art was ploughed up in 1896 by a Thomas Nicholl, a farm worker employed by Joseph Gibson, in the townland of Broighter near Limavady junction a mile outside the town. The Broighter Gold consists of a beautiful model boat with mast, yard, seats and fifteen oars. Even a small boathook and rudder are included. There was also a small bowl of beaten gold, two torcs and a magnificent collar embossed with early Celtic decorations.
  The 3000 year old ornaments were traded for quite small sums and luckily ended up in the British Museum. Later they became the subject of the famous "Gold Ornament Trial", during which it was demonstrated that these objects had been deliberately buried and were therefore treasure trove.
  The British Museum had asserted that Broighter had been below sea level at the time of the crime, and that the treasure had been thrown overboard from a ship as an offering to the gods. Mr. Justice Farwell - who seems to have had a wicked sense of humour - stated in his judgement:
  "The court has been asked to assume the existence of a votive offering of a sort hitherto unknown, in a land where such offerings were unknown, in a sea not known to have existed, to a seagod by a chieftain both equally unknown."
  So the hoard had to be handed over to what is now the National Museum in Dublin. It is displayed in the museum as part of the former Royal Irish Academy's collection. A pity that they can't be kept in Limavady.
  (Thanks to T.H. Mullin and his excellent book "Limavady and the Roe Valley" for some of these facts)"

This appears to throw into doubt the accuracy of the Royal Mint's version of the story!