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

One Pound 2008 Royal Arms, Coin from United Kingdom (demonetised 2017)
CoinOne Pound 2008 Royal Arms

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. Since its launch the £1 has always represented the United Kingdom and its constituent parts; England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

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 detailed and intricate depiction of the Royal Coat of Arms. Designed by Eric Sewell, Chief Engraver at The Royal Mint, it has become one of the most famous images on British coinage. The coin’s edge inscription is in Latin: DECUS ET TUTAMEN, which may be translated as an "ornament to safeguard".

This design, representing the United Kingdom as a whole, was issued until 2015 in rotation with other designs representing England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, alternating each year. This is the fifth of six issues (the others being in 1983, 1993, 1998, 2003 and 2015). The United Kingdom was also represented by the Shield Pound of 1988, the Shield Pound of 2008, the Shield Pound of 2009, the Shield Pound of 2010, the Shield Pound of 2012, the Shield Pound of 2013 and the Shield Pound of 2015, as well as the limited editions (not for regular circulation) of the Shield Pound of 2015 carrying the Queen's Fifth Portrait, the Shield Pound of 2016 and the Last Round Pound (2016).

Coins issued in 2008 circulated for nine years until they were demonetised in 2017 and replaced with the current bimetallic one pound coin.

MintRoyal Mint Mint MarkNo mint mark Total Mintage4,100,913 (4.1 million)
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Obverse
United Kingdom / One Pound 2008 Royal Arms - obverse photo

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.

Obverse Inscription ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2008
Reverse
United Kingdom / One Pound 2008 Royal Arms - reverse photo

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.

Reverse Inscription ONE POUND
EdgeMilled and inscribed (incuse lettering)Edge InscriptionDECUS ET TUTAMEN
Notes

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

One Pound 2008 Royal Arms: Known varieties
Variety Brilliant Uncirculated in presentation folder
Images United Kingdom / One Pound 2008 Royal Arms / Brilliant Uncirculated in presentation folder - reverse photo
Mintage Issued: 18,336 (included in total)
Details

18,336 issued from 100,000 limit.

Variety In mint sets
Mintage Issued: 136,244 (included in total)
In Sets 2008 United Kingdom Brilliant Uncirculated Coin Collection, mintage 79,118
9 coins: £2 Technology, £2 London Olympics 1908, £1 Royal Arms, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, 1p
- variety: 2008 United Kingdom Brilliant Uncirculated Coin Collection (Baby Gift Set), mintage unknown (included in the above set)

United Kingdom Brilliant Uncirculated Coin Collection Emblems of Britain, mintage 57,126
7 coins: £1 Royal Arms, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, 1p
Variety Proof FDC
Mintage Issued: 36,333 (included in total)
In Set United Kingdom 2008 Proof Coin Collection, mintage 17,719
11 coins: £5 Queen Elizabeth I, £5 Prince Charles, £2 Technology, £2 London Olympics 1908, £1 Royal Arms, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, 1p
- variety: United Kingdom 2008 Proof Coin Collection (Deluxe), mintage 13,614 (not included in the above set)
- variety: United Kingdom 2008 Executive Proof Coin Collection, mintage 5,000 (not included in the above set)
Variety Silver Proof FDC
Images United Kingdom / One Pound 2008 Royal Arms / Silver Proof FDC - obverse photo United Kingdom / One Pound 2008 Royal Arms / Silver Proof FDC - reverse photo
Mintage Issued: 16,609
Material0.925 Silver
Details

9.50 g sterling silver (0.2825 ASW), 22.50 mm.

Individually issued: 7,259 from 30,000 limit; plus coins in sets.

In Sets 2008 United Kingdom Coinage Emblems of Britain Silver Proof Collection, mintage 8,168
7 coins: £1 Royal Arms, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, 1p

The United Kingdom Family Silver Collection 2008, mintage 1,182
4 coins: £5 Queen Elizabeth I, £5 Prince Charles, £2 Britannia, £2 London Olympics 1908, £1 Royal Arms
Variety Silver Proof FDC with selective Gold Plating
Images United Kingdom / One Pound 2008 Royal Arms / Silver Proof FDC with selective Gold Plating - obverse photo United Kingdom / One Pound 2008 Royal Arms / Silver Proof FDC with selective Gold Plating - reverse photo
Mintage Issued: 4,971
Details

9.50 g sterling silver (0.2825 ASW), 22.50 mm. Selective gold plating on the reverse.

Issued individually (2,966 from 15,000 limit), and in the 14-coin set.

In Set United Kingdom One Pound Coin 25th Anniversary - Silver Proof Collection, mintage 2,005
14 coins: £1 Royal Arms, £1 Thistle and Diadem, £1 Leek and Diadem, £1 Flax and Diadem, £1 Oak Tree and Diadem, £1 Shield - Gorringe Design, £1 Lion Rampant, £1 Dragon, £1 Celtic Cross, £1 Three Lions, £1 Forth Railway Bridge, £1 Menai Bridge, £1 Egyptian Arch Bridge, £1 Millennium Bridge
Variety Gold Proof FDC
Images United Kingdom / One Pound 2008 Royal Arms / Gold Proof FDC - obverse photo United Kingdom / One Pound 2008 Royal Arms / Gold Proof FDC - reverse photo
Mintage Issued: 1,604
Material0.917 Gold
Details

19.61 g of 22 carat gold (0.5779 AGW), 22.50 mm.

Individually issued: 674 from 3,000 limit, plus coins in sets.

In Sets United Kingdom One Pound Coin 25th Anniversary - Gold Proof Collection, mintage 150
14 coins: £1 Royal Arms, £1 Thistle and Diadem, £1 Leek and Diadem, £1 Flax and Diadem, £1 Oak Tree and Diadem, £1 Shield - Gorringe Design, £1 Lion Rampant, £1 Dragon, £1 Celtic Cross, £1 Three Lions, £1 Forth Railway Bridge, £1 Menai Bridge, £1 Egyptian Arch Bridge, £1 Millennium Bridge

2008 United Kingdom Coinage Emblems of Britain Gold Proof Collection, mintage 780
7 coins: £1 Royal Arms, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, 1p
Variety Platinum Proof FDC
Mintage Issued: 250
MaterialPlatinum
In Set 2008 United Kingdom Coinage Emblems of Britain Platinum Proof Collection, mintage 250
7 coins: £1 Royal Arms, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, 1p
One Pound 2008 Royal Arms: References to Information Used
SourceEditionAboutLinkNotes
Royal Mint 2016 Coin description link
Royal Mint 28th March 2019 Mint link
Royal Mint 28th March 2019 Mintage link Circulation mintage
Royal Mint Mintage link Proofs and sets mintage
All (53) coins of type: One Pound
Coin NameMintageEffigyLegend
One Pound 1983 Royal Arms 444,283,310 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH · II D · G · REG · F · D · 1983
One Pound 1984 Thistle and Diadem 146,549,801 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH · II D · G · REG · F · D · 1984
One Pound 1985 Leek and Diadem 228,735,989 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D · 1985
One Pound 1986 Flax and Diadem 10,701,230 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D · 1986
One Pound 1987 Oak Tree and Diadem 39,632,193 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D · 1987
One Pound 1988 Shield 7,361,756 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D · 1988
One Pound 1989 Thistle and Diadem 70,743,774 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D · 1989
One Pound 1990 Leek and Diadem 97,450,960 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D · 1990
One Pound 1991 Flax and Diadem 38,573,694 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D · 1991
One Pound 1992 Oak Tree and Diadem 36,461,234 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D · 1992
One Pound 1993 Royal Arms 114,867,525 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D · 1993
One Pound 1994 Lion Rampant 29,997,217 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D · 1994
One Pound 1995 Dragon 34,669,787 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D · 1995
One Pound 1996 Celtic Cross 90,040,082 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D · 1996
One Pound 1997 Three Lions 57,364,751 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D · 1997
One Pound 1998 Royal Arms 159,862 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 1998
One Pound 1999 Lion Rampant 216,840 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 1999
One Pound 2000 Dragon 109,686,719 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2000
One Pound 2001 Celtic Cross 64,075,178 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2001
One Pound 2002 Three Lions 77,939,309 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2002
One Pound 2003 Royal Arms 61,776,772 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2003
One Pound 2004 Forth Railway Bridge 39,320,042 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2004
One Pound 2005 Menai Bridge 99,576,565 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2005
One Pound 2006 Egyptian Arch Bridge 39,099,654 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2006
One Pound 2007 Millennium Bridge 26,315,579 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2007
One Pound 2008 Royal Arms 4,100,913 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2008
One Pound 2008 Shield 43,947,300 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2008
One Pound 2009 Shield 27,897,014 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2009
One Pound 2010 Shield 57,220,033 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2010
One Pound 2010 London 2,732,157 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2010
One Pound 2010 Belfast 6,303,899 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2010
One Pound 2011 Shield 25,499,981 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
One Pound 2011 Cardiff 1,691,907 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
One Pound 2011 Edinburgh 935,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
One Pound 2012 Shield 35,803,832 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2012
One Pound 2013 Shield 13,137,437 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2013
One Pound 2013 England 5,308,194 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2013
One Pound 2013 Wales 5,308,194 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2013
One Pound 2014 Shield 79,347,794 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2014
One Pound 2014 Northern Ireland 5,811,821 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2014
One Pound 2014 Scotland 5,216,821 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2014
One Pound 2015 Shield (Fourth Portrait) 29,625,762 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2015
One Pound 2015 Shield (Fifth Portrait) 25,285 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · DEI · GRA · REG · FID · DEF · 2015 ·
One Pound 2015 Royal Arms 129,616,985 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · DEI · GRA · REG · FID · DEF · 2015
One Pound 2016 Shield (mint sets only) 48,830 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · DEI · GRA · REG · FID · DEF · 2016 ·
One Pound 2016 Last Round Pound 250,182 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · DEI · GRA · REG · FID · DEF · 2016 ·
One Pound 2016 Bimetallic 648,946,386 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait 2016 · ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D
One Pound 2017 749,761,142 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait 2017 · ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D
One Pound 2018 130,593,086 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait 2018 · ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D
One Pound 2019 138,635,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait 2019 · ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D
One Pound 2020 55,840,169 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait 2020 · ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D
One Pound 2021 unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait 2021 · ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D
One Pound 2022 unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait 2022 · ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D
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One Pound 2008 Royal Arms: Details
CountryUnited Kingdom
CurrencyPound Sterling
Coin TypeOne Pound (Royal Arms)
Issued2008
MonarchQueen Elizabeth II
EffigyQueen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait, by Ian Rank-Broadley
ReverseRoyal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom
Face Value1 (x Pound)
Circulation Mintage3,910,000 (3.9 million)
Total Mintage4,100,913 (4.1 million)
CurrentNo; demonetised 2017
MaterialNickel Brass
DesignerEric Sewell
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size22.5000 mm
Thickness3.1500 mm
Mass9.5000 g
OCC IDXYRV-POVR-CWRG-ODQG
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One Pound 2008 Royal Arms: Photos
ImageDetails
Coin, Great Britain, Elizabeth II Pound - 2008
Copyright: NumisCorner.com
Source
Coin, Great Britain, Elizabeth II Pound - 2008
Copyright: NumisCorner.com
Source
2008 UK Coin £1 Gold Proof Royal Coat of Arms
Copyright: Chards
Notes: Gold Proof.
Source
2008 UK Coin £1 Gold Proof Royal Coat of Arms
Copyright: Chards
Notes: Gold Proof.
Source
2008 UK Coin £1 Silver Proof Royal Coat of Arms
Copyright: Chards
Notes: Silver Proof.
Source
2008 UK Coin £1 Silver Proof Royal Coat of Arms
Copyright: Chards
Notes: Silver Proof.
Source
2008 UK £1 - Silver Proof 25th Anniversary 14 Coin Set
Copyright: Chards
Notes: Silver Proof with selective gold plating.
Source
2008 UK Coin £1 BU Royal Coat of Arms
Copyright: Chards
Source
One Pound 2008 Royal Arms: Catalogue Reference IDs
SourceReference ID
Spink, Coins of England and the United KingdomJ13 (was 4590), J13A (Silver with gold plating)
Krause, Standard Catalog of World CoinsGreat Britain KM# 993
Krause, Standard Catalog of World CoinsGreat Britain KM# 993a (Silver), KM# 993b (Gold)