1997 UK Coin £1 Silver Proof Piedfort Three Lions

This 1997 silver proof piedfort £1 coin features the Three Lions reverse by Norman Sillman. This is the fourth in a series of national heraldic emblems representing each nation of the United Kingdom. This English symbol is used in many sporting events including rugby and football. Struck in 0.925 sterling silver this British legal tender coin comes in a presentation box with a certificate.

Three Lions

The one pound coin for 1997 represents England with a new reverse depicting the Royal Crest of England, for centuries the proud emblem of English Kings and Queens. It is thought that the three lions may have come to England from Normandy but it was Richard the Lionheart (1189 - 1199) who, especially during the Crusades, used the three golden lions on their scarlet background as a powerful symbol of the English Throne. The Crest appeared on his second Great Seal and thereafter three lions passant guardant have been known as "England". As such, the Crest has appeared on the Royal Arms of every succeeding monarch and, today, is even employed to represent England in the sporting world.

Lions or Leopards?

You may also hear the three lions described as leopards. Most mediaeval artists painting knightly coats of arms had never had the opportunity to see either lions or leopards, yet were expected to produce a picture of them. They must have worked partly by oral description, possibly from other pictures. It is likely that they could not easily distinguish between lions and leopards. We believe this is the source of the confusion between the two in heraldry.

Edge

The edge is not only milled but also inscribed. The inscription in Latin reads DECUS ET TUTAMEN, which may be translated as "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.

Llantrisant Mint Mark

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:

Piedfort Coins - Heavyweight Coin Collecting

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 Elizabeth II by Raphael Maklouf. This effigy was introduced in 1985 and was used for the last time in 1997.

The English one pound coin features three lions passant guardant. The design is modelled by Norman Sillman from a drawing by the College of Arms.