In 1996 the Royal Mint released a very special Limited Issue Piedfort £1 One Pound Silver Proof Coin struck in solid .925 Sterling Silver.
The reverse, designed by Norman Sillman, depicts a Northern Irish Celtic Cross and the obverse is a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, designed 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.
Limited Mintage of 10,000 Worldwide
Piedfort Double the Thickness and Weight of its Standard Counterpart
Finished to Royal Mint's Proof Quality in Solid .925 Sterling Silver
