One Pound 2008 Royal Arms, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

The obverse shows the crowned mature head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (her effigy known as the "Fourth Portrait"). 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.

In small letters below the head, the artist's initials IRB (for Ian Rank-Broadley).

Around the effigy is the monarch's legend and the date: ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2008. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith 2008.

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:
3,910,000 coins released into circulation
136,244 brilliant uncirculated in sets
18,336 brilliant uncirculated issued individually, in presentation folder
36,333 proofs

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

Precious metal versions (gold, and silver with selective gold plating) were released in a 14-coin set - commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the one pound coin - containing:

01. Royal Arms £1 2008 - like One Pound 1983 Royal Arms, Spink J1
02. Thistle and Diadem £1 2008 - like One Pound 1983 Thistle and Diadem, Spink J2
03. Leek and Diadem £1 2008 - like One Pound 1985 Leek and Diadem, Spink J3
04. Flax and Diadem £1 2008 - like One Pound 1983 Flax and Diadem, Spink J4
05. Oak Tree and Diadem £1 2008 - like One Pound 1987 Oak Tree and Diadem, Spink J5
06. Shield - Gorringe Design £1 2008 - like One Pound 1988 Shield, Spink J6
07. Lion Rampant £1 2008 - like One Pound 1994 Lion Rampant, Spink J9
08. Dragon £1 2008 - like One Pound 1995 Dragon, Spink J10
09. Celtic Cross £1 2008 - like One Pound 1996 Celtic Cross, Spink J11
10. Three Lions £1 2008 - like One Pound 1997 Three Lions, Spink J12
11. Forth Railway Bridge £1 2008 - like One Pound 2004 Forth Railway Bridge, Spink J18
12. Menai Bridge £1 2008 - like One Pound 2005 Menai Bridge, Spink J19
13. Egyptian Arch Bridge £1 2008 - like One Pound 2006 Egyptian Arch Bridge, Spink J20
14. Millennium Bridge £1 2008 - like One Pound 2007 Millennium Bridge, Spink J21