In 2005, to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Horatio Nelson, the Royal Mint released a very Limited Issue Horatio Nelson Piedfort £5 Five Pound Silver Proof Coin struck in solid .925 Sterling Silver.
In the center of the reverse is a portrait of Nelson dated "1805" and "2005", designed by James Butler and the obverse shows a regal portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank Broadley.
These legal tender coins have been struck to proof quality using specially prepared dies and highly polished blanks.
Piedforts are coins which have been especially 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 2,818 Worldwide
Piedfort Double the Thickness and Weight of its Standard Counterpart
Finished to Royal Mint's Proof Quality in Solid .925 Sterling Silver
Commemorating the 200th Anniversary of Horatio Nelson
