In 2012, to celebrate the London Olympic Games, the Royal Mint released a very Limited Issue London Olympic Games Piedfort £5 Five Pound Silver Proof Coin struck in solid .925 Sterling Silver.
The reverse designed by Saiman Miah features the London Skyline and the River Thames within a central circle. Iconic buildings depicted include Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the Gherkin, St Paul's Cathedral, the London Eye and the Tower of London, with London 2012 arching above. The outer ring of the design features pictograms representing various Olympic sports which are synonymous with the London 2012 Games. The obverse design is the stunning portrait of Her Majesty 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 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 7,000 Coins Worldwide
Piedfort Double the Thickness and Weight of its Standard Counterpart
Finished to Royal Mint's Proof Quality in Solid .925 Sterling Silver
