One Pound 2011 Cardiff, 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 · 2011. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith 2011.

A depiction of the official badges of the capital cities of the United Kingdom, with those of Belfast, Edinburgh and London (in that order), smaller, around below. The principal focus, larger and in the centre, is the badge of Cardiff. It is a shield featuring a rampant dragon on a mount, holding a flag with three chevrons, in front of a large leek plant.

The name of the city CARDIFF is around top. The value and denomination ONE POUND are around left and right, divided by the badge.

Mintage figure (incomplete) comprised of:
1,615,000 coins released into circulation
47,933 brilliant uncirculated coins on presentation card
? brilliant uncirculated in sets
28,974 proofs
Off-metal strikes not included (see mintages below).

The edge inscription Y DDRAIG GOCH DDYRY CYCHWYN means "The Red Dragon shall lead" and is the motto of Cardiff.

The Royal Mint says about the design:
"Cardiff had long made unofficial use of the arms of the medieval lords of the area before it was granted city status on 28 October 1905. Its Coat of Arms was granted in 1906, although the city was not proclaimed capital of Wales until 20 December 1955. The design of the shield is described as: Argent on a mount vert growing therefrom a leek proper a dragon rampant gules supporting a banner gules charged with three chevrons argent.

It is not surprising that the fiery red dragon should feature so prominently in the City’s Coat of Arms since it has been recognised as the emblem of Wales for well over 1,000 years. It was a symbol favoured by the historic Welsh leaders and also by the Welshman Henry Tudur who claimed descent from Cadwaladr, the great Welsh King traditionally called 'the last King of Britain'. The leek, too, is an historic symbol of Wales, having played a vital role in the battle of Heathfield in 633 AD when it was used to distinguish friend from foe."