Gold Ounce 2008 Angel, Coin from Isle of Man - detailed information

The obverse of the coin shows the crowned mature head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (her effigy known as the "Fourth Portrait", by Ian Rank-Broadley). The Queen wears the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" diamond tiara, a wedding gift from Queen Mary (Her Majesty's grandmother) in 1947 - which she also has on the Machin and the Gottwald portraits.

The portrait is in its "uncouped" version which extends below the neck and shows the Queen's shoulders. The designer's initials IRB are on the shoulder truncation.

Around above, the monarch's legend and the date: * ELIZABETH II * ISLE OF MAN * 2008.

The dividers in the inscription are triskele symbols.

The reverse of the coin shows Saint Michael, facing right, slaying the dragon. He has a halo and wears only a loincloth. In his left hand he holds a shield bearing a cross, at the centre of which is a small triskele symbol; in his right hand he has a long spear, the tip of which has pierced the throat of a fire-breathing dragon fallen at the saint's feet.

In the exergue, the metal content: Au. 999.9 1 OUNCE.

Around below, the name of the denomination, ANGEL.

The PM mint mark of the Pobjoy Mint is below the dragon.

The rim is framed by an elaborate Celtic border design ("Viking Knit"), interrupted at the top by a small Triskele symbol, which is the Coat of Arms of the Isle of Man.

Gold content (troy ounces): 1.000.
Finish: bullion (Brilliant Uncirculated).

To distinguish the production grade of its coins, the Pobjoy Mint affected a privy mark on the reverse for a while; the letter U in a hexagon denotes "Uncirculated", while P is for "Proof".

Pobjoy Mint said about the release:
In 2008 it will be 25 years since the first Gold Angel coin was issued and to mark the longevity of this series Pobjoy Mint is releasing a brand new design of Archangel Michael and the Dragon on behalf of the Isle of Man Government.

1984 saw the release of our very first Gold Angel coin which depicted a classical image of Saint Michael with heavily feathered wings astride the fiery Dragon. A Celtic band appeared in the surround which was broken at the top of the coin with an image of the Isle of Man Triskeles.

On the 10th Anniversary in 1994, the second design was released which portrayed a more stylised image of the Archangel, with a toned and muscular torso, spearing the Dragon. The Celtic band was also removed to create a more modern design.

Now, to celebrate the 25th Year of the Gold Angel we have produced a third design which combines the classical appeal of the original, with elements such as the Celtic band and feathered wings, and a more powerful image of Saint Michael slaying the Dragon. A repetition of the Triskeles symbol also appears in the centre of the St George's cross on the shield.

In medieval times the Angel was much valued as a touchpiece and bringer of good fortune. First struck in France in 1341, the Angel was adopted in England in 1465 in the reign of Edward IV and also used by King Henry VIII in 1526 as a gift to present to his favoured courtiers on special state occasions. During the Middle Ages the Angel was given to sufferers from the skin disease known as 'Kings Evil' at an annual ceremony at which the monarch touched those afflicted. Hence, the image of Archangel Michael's victory over the Dragon was to gain the Gold Angel a legendary reputation as a charm, thought to posses special qualities - warding off all forms of illness and bringing the bearer good fortune.

From 2008 the new Angel design will be used for all future Bullion, Proof, High Relief and Christmas issues and 2008's 1oz Proof Gold version will be available with a strictly limited edition of 250 worldwide.