One Pound 2008 Shield, 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 features the Shield of the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom (and not the whole Royal Arms, as the earlier design). The Shield is divided into four parts; England is represented by the three lions passant guardant (walking to left, looking at the observer) in the first and fourth quarters, Scotland by the lion rampant in the second and Northern Ireland by the harp of Ireland in the third.

The value and denomination, ONE POUND, are around left and right, divided by the Shield.

Mintage figure comprised of:
43,827,300 coins released into circulation
100,000 brilliant uncirculated in sets
20,000 proofs

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