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Scotland
Series: Royal Diadem series
Second crowned portrait of Queen Elizabeth II right, wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara, legend around
Script: Latin
Lettering: ELIZABETH·II D·G·REG·F·D·1984
Unabridged legend: Elizabeth II Dei Gratia Regina Fidei Defensatrix
Translation: Elizabeth II by the Grace of God Queen Defender of the Faith
Engraver: Arnold Machin
Scottish thistle encircled by Royal Diadem, denomination below
Script: Latin
Lettering: ONE POUND
Engraver: Leslie Durbin
Milled with incuse lettering
Script: Latin
Lettering: NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT
Translation: No one provokes me with impunity
Proof coins are the highest quality of coin a mint produces. These coins are attributed a
much higher value than the metal itself due to their status as a commemorative coin.
Proof coins are struck using hand-finished dies. This means an expert will etch into the
metal die to produce a mirror image imprint, ready for a machine to stamp a blank coin
disc. The decision to hand-finish the dies means that there will be no imperfections
before a coin is produced.
The process for production sees a high-quality proof blank placed into a coin press. This
is done by hand. The coin is then struck six times, at the lowest speed and lowest pressure
of the three coin types. This avoids any blemishes, but for additional peace of mind the
operator will also clean the dies before and after usage with air, cleaning off any dust or
other particles.
This meticulous process means that it takes an hour to strike 50 proof coins – a stark
contrast with the 3,000 per hour rate for bullion silver coins – and the coin design dies
are sharpened and polished after every few hundred strikes.
The Royal Mint will only issue a small mintage of proof coins of each
type per year.