| Coin | Bimetallic (Platinum / Gold) Quarter Ounce 1995 Noble |
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The Isle of Man has its own circulating coinage, which is used in parallel with the British Pound Sterling; it also issues an extensive range of commemorative coins for collectors, as well as bullion coins in a variety of formats and designs for investors in precious metals.
These coins are usually in internationally popular standard formats, but some (such as this coin) are in non-standard sizes. They are considered Non-Circulating Legal Tender (NCLT) because they are "premium" editions released at prices much higher than their bullion value.
This coin is part of the extensive Noble series, depicting a Viking ship. The original Noble denomination was a coin introduced by King Edward III in 1344, which was one of the first widely-used gold coins struck in England. It was believed at the time that the coin was a lucky charm as a protection against thieves. It was discontinued after the reign of King Edward IV, until the Isle of Man revived the denomination in 1983. The strong Viking theme of its design relates to the history of the island, having once been the Kingdom of Man and conquered by Norse leaders, with the King of Dublin and the Earls of Orkney ruling the isle.
It is usually said that modern Nobles are legal tender but without a fixed face value, like the Krugerrand or Mexico’s Libertad which are legal tender to the value of their precious metal content. However, according to the various Currency Determinations by The Treasury of the Isle of Man authorising each issue, the "Noble" denomination has a fixed value - for example, the 2010 Determination sets it as £10, while the 2017 and later acts make it equal to 5 pounds in face value, with fractions or multiples divided or multiplied as required by the fraction or multiplier shown on the reverse of the coin. Hence, the quarter ounce has a nominal face value of £1.25 (one and a quarter pounds). |
| Mint | Pobjoy Mint |
Mint Mark | Letters PM |
Total Mintage |
10,000
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin shows the crowned bust of Queen Elizabeth II, facing right - her effigy known as the "Third Portrait", in its "uncouped" version extending to her shoulders. The Queen is wearing the royal diadem which she used to wear on her way to and from the State Opening of Parliament, a pearl necklace and earrings.
In tiny letters on the shoulder truncation, the designer's initials RDM (for Raphael David Maklouf).
Around, the monarch's legend and the date of issue: ELIZABETH II ··· ISLE OF MAN 1995 ···.
The tiny letters PM below the Queen's portrait are not a designer's initials but the mint mark of the Pobjoy Mint. |
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse of the coin shows a Viking longboat under sail, with a horned dragon figurehead on the bow and a pennant on top of the mast, with warrior shields hanging from the side. In the background, seagulls flying above the waves.
In the exergue, the metal content: 1/4 OZ FINE Au./Pt. (one quarter of a troy ounce, gold and platinum).
Around below, the name of the denomination, QUARTER NOBLE.
The rim is framed by an elaborate Celtic motif border design ("Viking Knit"), interrupted at the top by a small Triskele symbol, which is the Coat of Arms of the Isle of Man. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
1/4 OZ FINE Au./Pt. QUARTER NOBLE |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | The coin is bimetallic, with a central circle of gold, surrounded by a ring of platinum. The specifications, as per the certificate that comes with it, are: diameter of 22 mm, fineness of gold .9999, fineness of platinum 0.9995, weight 7.776 g, issue limit 10,000. The two metals are in equal proportion: half gold, half platinum (so, one eighth of a troy ounce each).
The coin was issued in a set with a matching Angel, which has the reverse bimetallic setup: gold core with platinum outer ring. |
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