In 1990 to celebrate the introduction of a new Belize One Dollar Coin, to replace the One Dollar Banknote, The Central Bank of Belize has authorised the Royal Mint to produce a Limited Issue Piedfort $1 One Dollar Silver Proof Coins struck in solid .925 Sterling Silver.
The reverse design features a Ship of Christopher Columbus Fleet.
The obverse of the ten sided coin features Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II portrait by Raphael Maklouf.
These legal tender coins have been struck to proof quality using specially prepared dies and highly polished blanks.
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 practice of striking piedforts is later and less frequent, but medieval and Tudor examples are known.