One Pound (Leek and Diadem), Coin Type from United Kingdom - detailed information

One Pound (Leek and Diadem), Coin Type from United Kingdom (issued 1985 - 1990)
Coin TypeOne Pound (Leek and Diadem)

By 1980 it had become apparent that with the general decline in purchasing power, the £1 unit of currency was more appropriate to a coin than a banknote. After consultation with many groups including retailers and special interest groups, the Government announced on 31 July 1981 that a new £1 coin that was to be issued on 21 April 1983.

The £1 coin in base metal (as opposed to the gold sovereign, which has a nominal face value of one pound too), nickel-brass was introduced in 1983, as a replacement for the £1 banknote. The reverse design of the first £1 coin showed a depiction of the Royal Coat of Arms, representing the United Kingdom as a whole. It was issued until 2015 in rotation with other designs representing Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England, alternating each year in that order.

According to the Royal Mint, "The reverse design of the 1985 £1 coin featured the national emblem of Wales - the leek - encircled by the Royal Diadem. It was the second in a series of four issued to represent the four constituent parts of the United Kingdom; Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England." This design was issued again only once, in 1990. Wales was later represented by the Dragon type of one pound, and the 2013 One Pound with the floral emblem of Wales.

The design was re-issued in 2008 as a collector coin (in silver and gold) as part of a 14-coin commemorative set marking the 25th Anniversary of the £1 coin.

The edge inscription PLEIDIOL WYF I'M GWLAD means "True am I to my country".

The coin is made of Nickel-Brass, with composition of 70% copper, 5.5% nickel and 24.5% zinc.

These coins circulated until 2017, when they were demonetised and replaced with the current bimetallic one pound coin.

Obverse
United Kingdom / One Pound (Leek and Diadem) - obverse photo

Effigy of the ruling British monarch, legend (in Latin), date.

Obverse Inscription ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D · [year]
Reverse
United Kingdom / One Pound (Leek and Diadem) - reverse photo

At centre, a large leek plant within a royal diadem, representing Wales. Around below, the value and denomination ONE POUND.

Reverse Inscription ONE POUND
EdgeMilled and inscribed (incuse lettering)Edge InscriptionPLEIDIOL WYF I'M GWLAD
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London Mint Office coins.
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One Pound (Leek and Diadem): Details
CountryUnited Kingdom
CurrencyPound Sterling
Sub-type ofOne Pound
From1985
To1990
Face Value1 (x Pound)
CurrentNo (demonetised 2017)
MaterialNickel Brass
DesignerLeslie Durbin
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size22.5000 mm
Thickness3.1500 mm
Mass9.5000 g
One Pound (Leek and Diadem): Photos
ImageDetails
One Pound (Leek and Diadem): Photo Coin, Great Britain, Pound, 1985 Coin, Great Britain, Pound, 1985
Copyright: NumisCorner.com
Source
One Pound (Leek and Diadem): Photo Coin, Great Britain, Pound, 1985 Coin, Great Britain, Pound, 1985
Copyright: NumisCorner.com
Source