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.
- 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.
- Tutamen: too-ta´men ( L. ) a protective covering or structure. Tuta´mina o´culi the protective appendages of the eye, such as the eyelids, eyelashes, and so on.
- Inscription on British coins in Welsh translates to English as 'True am I to my country, taken form the chorus of the Welsh National Anthem.
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| 1983 Pound Coins |
Obverse of 1983 One Pound Silver Proof Coin |
Royal Arms on Reverse of 1983 Silver Proof One Pound Coin |
The year 1983 is significant for the United Kingdom as it heralds the introduction of the new one pound coin which entered circulation on 21st April 1983.
Obverse
The obverse of the coin shows the Arnold Machin portrait of The Queen which was adopted for decimalisation, and has been used on nearly all UK coinage since 1968. It continued in use until 1984.
Reverse
The reverse of the coin shows the Royal Arms, and it is appropriate that it should feature on one of the nation's premier coins.
Queen Elizabeth II is a direct descendant of the Sovereigns of England, of Ireland and of Scotland. Accordingly Her Majesty is head of the oldest continuing Royal Lines in Christendom. As the embodiment of the Sovereignty of those countries, Her Majesty quarters their historic Arms.
The Royal Arms achieved their present form upon the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837 and have remained essentially the same ever since.
Edge
The edge is not only milled but also inscribed. The inscription in Latin reads:-
DECUS ET TUTAMEN
Which may be translated as 'an ornament and a safeguard'. This inscription dates back to the first machine-struck coins minted in 1662 and was a device to prevent 'clipping'.
Llantrisant Mint Mark
On the milled edge of the coin is the Llantrisant mint mark - a cross crosslet. This is the first United Kingdom coin to be struck with this distinctive feature. The shape of the cross alluding to Llantrisant, which translated from the Welsh means 'Church or Parish of the Three Saints'.
Design Competition
The design process for the pound coin began with a competition for the reverse design of the new coin. The entries were judged by the Royal Mint Advisory Committee, whose President is the Duke of Edinburgh, and the selected design by Eric Sewell, formerly Chief Engraver of the Royal Mint, was then submitted for the approval of Her Majesty The Queen.
| Version | Diameter | Weight | Metal | Alloy | AMW |
| Ordinary Circulation | 22.50 | 9.50 | Nickel-brass | ||
| Uncirculated in Folder | 22.50 | 9.50 | Nickel-brass | ||
| Silver Proof | 22.50 | 9.50 | Silver | 0.925 Silver | 0.2825 |
| Piedfort Silver Proof | 22.50 | 19 | Silver | 0.925 Silver | 0.5650 |
Notes
Diameter = Diameter in millimetres
Weight = Weight in grams
Alloy = Proportion of precious metal
AMW = Actual weight in relevant precious metal content in troy ounces.
| Version | Issue Limit | Issue Price £ |
| Ordinary Circulation | ||
| Uncirculated in Folder | 484,900 | |
| Silver Proof, Box & Certificate | 50,000 | |
| Silver Piedfort Proof, Box & Certificate | 10,000 |
For Sale
Ordinary Circulation| If you wish to buy this product you will be redirected to www.chards.co.uk |
| Quantity | Rate | Buy |
| 1 | £6.00 |
| If you wish to buy this product you will be redirected to www.chards.co.uk |
| Quantity | Rate | Buy |
| 1 | £8.95 | Call to check availability |
| If you wish to buy this product you will be redirected to www.chards.co.uk |
| Quantity | Rate | Buy |
| 1 | £25.00 |
Silver Proof - With Certificate
| If you wish to buy this product you will be redirected to www.chards.co.uk |
| Quantity | Rate | Buy |
| 1 | £35.00 |
Decus Et Tutamen 1983
Postage & Packing:
UK: At buyer's Risk £3.50 or
Fully Insured £9 (Usually by Royal Mail Special Delivery)
USA: Airmail at buyer's risk $10 or
Fully Insured $20
For further details, please see our Postage & Packing page.
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1983 Coin Sets
Silver Proof Pounds & Silver Piedfort Pounds
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Information:
| Krause number | KM# 975 |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | 1 pound |
| Currency rate | 1 GBP = 1.38 USD |
| Year | 1997 |
| Period | Queen Elizabeth II (1982 - 2021) |
| Coin type | Circulation coins |
| Ruler | Elizabeth II |
| Composition | Nickel-Brass |
| Edge type | Reeded with lettering |
| Edge description | 'DECUS ET TUTAMEN' (An ornament and a safeguard) |
| Shape | Round |
| Alignment | Medal (0°) |
| Weight (gr) | 9.5 |
| Diameter (mm) | 22.5 |
| Thickness (mm) | 3.15 |
Legend:
| Obverse | 1997 / ELIZABETH II D G REG F D |
|---|---|
| Reverse | ONE POUND |
Worth, USD: $ 1.69
Decus Et Tutamen Coin 1987
Creators:
Mintage:
| Mint | Mintage | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Unc | BU | Proof | |
| Llantrisant, United Kingdom | 57.117.500 | 109.500 | 100.000 |
Tags:
Decus Et Tutamen 1983
Decus Et Tutamen Ab Illo
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