One Pound 1983 Royal Arms, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

The obverse of the coin shows the crowned and draped young bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (her effigy known as the "Second Portrait", by Arnold Machin).

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 Rank-Broadley and the Gottwald portraits.

Around, the monarch's legend and the date of issue: ELIZABETH · II D · G · REG · F · D · 1983. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith 1983.

The reverse of the coin depicts the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom. In its standard variant used outside of Scotland, the shield is quartered, depicting in the first and fourth quarters the three passant guardant lions of England; in the second, the rampant lion and double tressure flory-counterflory of Scotland; and in the third, a harp for Ireland. The crest is a statant guardant lion wearing St Edward's Crown, himself on another representation of that crown standing on a knight's helmet.

The dexter (right) supporter is a likewise crowned English lion; the sinister (left), a Scottish unicorn. In the ground below, a thistle, Tudor rose and shamrock are depicted, representing Scotland, England and Ireland respectively.

The motto of English monarchs, DIEU ET MON DROIT (God and my Right), which has descended to the present royal family, is in a ribbon below, while a Garter circlet which surrounds the shield is inscribed with the Order of the Garter's motto, HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE (from old French: Shame on he who thinks evil).

Around below is the denomination, ONE POUND.

Mintage figure comprised of:
443,053,510 coins released into circulation
637,100 brilliant uncirculated in sets
484,900 specimen grade issued in presentation folder
107,800 proofs

The edge inscription DECUS ET TUTAMEN means "An ornament and a safeguard", a quote from Virgil's Aeneid.