In 2012, to celebrate the closing of the London 2012 Olympic Games and the Handover from London to Rio, the Royal Mint released a Limited Issue Handover to Rio Piedfort £2 Two Pound Silver Proof Coin struck in solid .925 Sterling Silver Certified Slabbed and Graded by NGC as PF69 Ultra Cameo.
The reverse designed by Jonathan Olliffe depicts two hands passing the Olympic Relay Baton while the obverse designed by Ian Rank Broadley is the stunning effigy 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 practice of striking piedforts is later and less frequent, but medieval and Tudor examples are known.
Limited Mintage of 2,000 Worldwide
Piedfort Double the Thickness and Weight of it's Standard Counterpart
Finished to Royal Mint's Proof Quality in Solid .925 Sterling Silver
Celebrating the London Olympic Handover from London to Rio
Certified Slabbed and Graded by NGC as PF69 Ultra Cameo
