In 1990 to celebrate the introduction into circulation of a new, smaller 5p Five Pence Coin, the Royal Mint is issuing a Limited Edition Piedfort 5p Five Pence Silver Proof Coin struck in solid .925 Sterling Silver.
The reverse of the new 5p Five Pence Coin features the familiar design of the Badge of Scotland, a thistle royally crowned. The design, by Christopher Ironside, was the first used on the 5p Five Pence Coin in 1968. The obverse design features Rapahel Maklouf's portrait of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
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 practise of striking piedforts is later and less frequent, but medieval and Tudor examples are known.
Limited Mintage Worldwide
Piedfort Double the Thickness and Weight of its Standard Counterpart
Minted in Solid .925 Sterling Silver to Royal Mint's Proof Quality
Celebrating the Introduction of the Smaller 5p Coin
