Saturday, May 05, 2007

2007 Silver Proof Piedfort Collection


The British Royal Mint has put together a very unique Silver Proof Piedfort Collection that will likely become one of the most sort after collections in times to come. For coin enthusiasts this is one of the most eagerly awaited coin collections.

According to the Mint, “Twice the Weight and Twice the Thickness Piedfort coins are always one of the Royal Mint’s most eagerly awaited issues of the year and a must-have for every serious coin collector. Originating in the royal courts of twelfth-century France, Piedforts were thicker than normal coins and were given as prized gifts by the King to a small number of favoured dignitaries. Today this tradition is continued with all Piedfort coins being struck using blanks that are double the weight of the standard silver Proof coins.

Piedforts are also struck in very limited numbers and rarely offered to the public when they are.

The magnificent 2007 United Kingdom Piedfort Collection brings together five new United Kingdom Piedfort coins. Struck in sterling.925 silver to Proof quality, this splendid silver collection is certain to become a family treasure. The collection includes:

The Diamond Wedding Anniversary Piedfort Crown

The splendid obverse depicts a new conjoint portrait of the Queen and Prince Philip created by Ian Rank-Broadley, FRBS - only the fifth conjoint portrait in British numismatic history. The reverse design by Emma Noble is a beautiful depiction of the north rose window at Westminster Abbey, the venue of the royal wedding ceremony.

200th Anniversary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade £2 Piedfort

This design focuses on the bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade. The reverse by David Gentleman, RDI, depicts a chain with one link broken, representing a ‘release from subjection’, and doubles as the zero in the anniversary date of 1807.

300th Anniversary of the Act of Union £2 Piedfort

This year marks the 300th anniversary of the Act of Union that brought together the kingdoms of Scotland and England under one Parliament. The reverse design by artist Yvonne Holton, FRSA, symbolises the joining of Scotland and England by the use of a rose for England and a thistle for Scotland quartered with two portcullis signifying Parliament.

The Gateshead Millennium Bridge £1 Piedfort

The 2007 silver Proof one pound Piedfort is the final coin in a series of four designs by Edwina Ellis, each illustrating a bridge from the four constituent parts of the United Kingdom. Opened to the public on 17 September 2001, the Gateshead Millennium Bridge stretches 126 metres across the River Tyne and has a distinctive arched opening.

100th Anniversary of the Scout Movement 50p Piedfort

The fifty pence Piedfort coin for 2007 is issued this year to commemorate 100 years of Scouting. Originally founded in 1907 by Robert Baden-Powell, the Scout Movement has grown phenomenally since its humble beginnings. The design appropriately features a globe, emphasising the growth of the Scout Movement, along with the Scouts' familiar fleur-de-lys and their famous motto ‘Be Prepared’.

Only 3000 collections worldwide will be available and it is a sure bet that dealers will be the first to snap them up for later profitable sales.

Other features to make then extremely collectable include:

The new conjoint portrait will only appear on the 2007 Diamond Wedding Crown

The two new two-pound coins for 2007 both include fine gold plating on their outer rings

Double the weight and double the thickness of their circulating counterparts - and therefore contain twice the amount of pure silver

Accompanied by a full-colour booklet and Certificate of Authenticity

Housed in an attractive presentation case.

The order code is UK07PF5S and the price is a princely £249.95

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