This 2004 Gold Proof Pattern £1 four coin set bears engravings of four beasts which represent the four nations of the United Kingdom by Timothy Noad.
Please note there are some light surface scratches on this set.
The coins bear the inscription "PATTERN" instead of "ONE POUND". The designs were never released as circulation coins. As pattern coins they have a plain edge with a hallmark rather than a reeded and inscribed edge.
This coin set is not British legal currency and is subject to VAT. However, as we are selling these sets on the special scheme, you only pay VAT on the dealer's premium which is included in the selling price. This is a perfect opportunity to purchase a numismatic collection at bullion prices.
Pattern pieces differ from coins issued for general circulation. They are not finished legal tender coins and are widely recognised by collectors as exceptional items. The plain edge, coupled with their hallmarks and rarity ensure that they are distinct and highly collectable items. On this occasion, the particular designs are unlikely to appear on any British legal coin, but making them available in this way helps to reveal something of the process behind designing a new United Kingdom coin. Featuring representative heraldic beasts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and England, these exceptional pieces are beautiful examples of numismatic art.
The obverse of each coin bears the fourth definitive UK coin portrait of Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley.
Familiar as a supporter on the Scottish and British Royal Arms, the unicorn has the head and body of a horse, a goat-like beard, the cloven hoofs of a deer, the tail of a lion and a prominent long spiralling horn set in its forehead. It was renowned for its rivalry with the lion, a rivalry that acquired a political dimension when the thrones of England and Scotland were united under King James in 1603. James was the first monarch to adopt the famous supporters on the Royal Coat of Arms - a lion for England and a unicorn for Scotland. Timothy Noad's powerful representation of the unicorn features the crowned heraldic beast facing to the right and adorned with a chained coronet around its neck.
The heraldic dragon has a body of reptilian nature covered with a mail of plates and scales and a row of formidable spines extending from head to tail, ending in a great and deadly stinger. The fearsome monster has round luminous eyes, a dangerous spike on his nose, a forked tongue, eagle's feet and the wings of a bat. In heraldry, it is symbolic of power, wisdom and astuteness. The Welsh dragon was used in the Royal Arms in the sixteenth century. A red dragon features on the royal badge for Wales and is a common device in the civic or family heraldry of the Principality. Timothy Noad's portrayal of this beast displays the long forked tongue extending from an open mouth, a myriad of scales covering its head and vicious spines to ward off any enemies.
The White Hart, a male deer with branching antlers, represents Northern Ireland because it occurs in the Royal Crest as used in the province, springing from the portal of a tower. Its history dates back to medieval times, being employed for example as the badge of Richard II. In earlier versions of his designs, Timothy Noad incorporated elements from the Irish elk, especially in relation to the antlers, to reinforce the association with Northern Ireland heraldry. The beast faces left, with widely branched antlers protruding from its head and a long dense mane.
The lion is the most popular and one of the oldest beasts in heraldry. It appears in the arms of Great Britain, Denmark, Spain, Holland and numerous other European countries. As early as 1127 Henry I used the lion as an ornament on a shield. The early English heralds confused the lion with the leopard and although never drawn spotted as the real leopard, it was described as leo-pard, or a lion as a leopard.
Lions in medieval times were associated with Christianity, representing justice and righteous power and many royal coat of arms featured them. Richard I had three lions on his Royal SEal and subsequently this device came to be used as the Royal Arms of England. The lion is the king of the beasts and has been used in the Royal Arms of England since the Plantagenets. Here the lion's head is shown in full-face and is crowned with a coronet of alternate crosses and fleur-de-lis as in the Royal Crest and left-hand supporter of the Royal Arms.
Per Coin | |
Diameter | 22.50mm |
Weight | 19.61g |
Alloy | 22 carat gold |
Fineness | 0.9167 |
Actual Gold Weight | 0.5779 troy oz |
Obverse Designer | Ian Rank-Broadley |
Reverse Designer | Timothy Noad |
Mint | The Royal Mint |
Mintage | 2,250 |
Finish | Proof |
Per Set | |
Actual Gold Weight | 2.3116 troy oz |
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Bullion coins are provided as is and on occasion may have some minor scratches or edge knocks. These are not regarded as faulty or damaged goods as their precious metal content and value as a bullion coin is not affected. Any coin sold for a value less than a 180% intrinsic is considered a bullion coin.
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All investment products are based on the live precious metal price. Prices will be fixed once the item has been added to the basket and recalculates just before checking out.
If your product is not a graded coin and is considered a bullion item, it should be noted that these are bought and sold on low premiums over their precious metal content and not solely for aesthetic purposes; therefore, some products may have edge knocks and/or marks. These edge knocks and marks do not alter the specifications of the coins.
Please note that all investment products are exempt from the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 and therefore customers do not have the right to cancel their order once the order has been accepted. If customers no longer wish to go ahead with their investment purchase, there is an option to sell the products back to Chard (1964) Ltd instead. View our current buy back prices.
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