For 2021, to celebrate the reign and lasting legacy of Alfred the Great, the Royal Mint released a Limited Issue Alfred the Great Piedfort £5 Five Pound Silver Proof Coin
struck in solid .925 Sterling Silver.
The reverse designed by John Bergdahl was inspired by the priceless Alfred Jewel while the obverse design features the Fifth Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II designed by Jody Clark.
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.
Royal Mint Product Code - UK21AGPF