According to The Royal Mint

For the first time since decimalisation the legal tender coins of the United Kingdom will undergo a major design change. In the late spring of 2008 the nation will see new designs on the coinage, from the 1p to the ?1, reflecting a more modern twenty-first century Britain.
To mark this watershed in numismatic history, and to commemorate the reverse designs that have served Britain well for almost 40 years, the Royal Mint is producing a limited-edition gold Proof collection.

• Contains seven coins struck in 22 carat gold to Proof quality
• Low issue limit of just 2,008 collections
• All the coins are dated 2008
• Purchase the ?Last of the Old? and get first opportunity to purchase the ?First of the New? (to be released late spring 2008).

As a gift...
The Emblems of Britain Gold Collection of seven definitive coins is the ideal gift for coin collectors and is the perfect memento of this historic time in numismatic history as the ?last of the old? coin designs are changed in 2008.

Product Information
The Gold Collection comprises seven coins bearing the definitive reverse designs, the portrait of the Queen by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS on their obverse, and are all dated 2008. Each coin is struck in 22 carat gold to Proof quality. For such a magnificent collection, the Royal Mint has commissioned high-quality hand-crafted oak veneer cases designed exclusively to house the gold Proof coins. An informative booklet featuring a potted history of the iconic designs completes the presentation. Incorporated into each booklet is an individually numbered Certificate of Authenticity signed by the Deputy Master of the Royal Mint.

Background & History
The introduction of the new decimal series of coins was no easy task 40 years ago. From settling the dimensions of the coins, to the creation of the designs, to their production by the Royal Mint it was a mammoth undertaking. Not only did the different denominations need to be readily distinguishable by sight and touch from each other, they also needed to avoid being confused with existing coins of the pre-decimal system.
As for their designs, a new portrait of the Queen by Arnold Machin RA had already been prepared and approved, while for the reverse designs it was announced in November 1966 that a public competition would be arranged. More than 80 artists took part and, from the 900 or so designs that were received, a series by Christopher Ironside was eventually approved, his designs drawing praise for the ?lack of clutter?, a requirement that had been stressed in the creative brief.

Specifications

Denomination	Description	Diameter	Weight	Alloy	AGW*
Pound	Royal Arms	22.50	19.62	.9166	0.5782
Fifty Pence	Britannia	27.30	15.50	.9166	0.4568
Twenty Pence	Crowned Rose	21.40	9.75	.9166	0.2873
Ten Pence	Lion Passant Guardant	24.50	12.66	.9166	0.3731
Five Pence	Crowned Thistle	18.00	6.33	.9166	0.1866
Two Pence	Prince of Wales Plumes	25.91	13.96	.9166	0.4114
One Penny	Crowned Portcullis	20.32	6.98	.9166	0.2057
Total	All Seven Coins		67.90	.9166	2.4992

Notes on Table
Weight = gross weight in grams.
Alloy = Finieness of gold alloy.
*AGW = Actual intrinsic gold weight in troy ounces.

2008 Prices
We expect the official Royal Mint prices may be further increased in view of greatly increased gold bullion prices.
The prices shown below should be considered as pre-release or early bird prices, we expect to have to increase these prices shortly after issue.

We can offer British gold 7 coin "Emblems of Britain" sets as follows:-
All prices subject to change without notice, dollar and euro prices subject to foreign exchange rate fluctuations.

Prices & Availability

Date	Description	Issue Limit	Availability	Issue £	Our Price £	Price $	Price €
2008	Gold 7 Coin Emblems of Britain Set, EU Vat Inclusive	2,008	Ask	£2,395	£2,150	$	€2,950
2008	Gold 7 Coin Emblems of Britain Set, EU / Export, Vat Exclusive	2,008	Ask	£2,038.30	£1,830	$3,650	€2,500
2008	Gold 7 Coin Emblems of Britain Set, EU / Export, Special Secondhand Scheme	2,008	Ask	£2,3195	£1,995	$	€2,695
2008	Gold 7 Coin Emblems of Britain Set, EU Vat Inclusive, Buying	2,008	Buying	£	£1,500	$3,000	€2,000

More Information
More information about British gold sets is available on our British Gold Sets Information page.

You may wish to use our order form.

Postage & Packing
UK Registered Post (Special Delivery) £6 per order, plus £1 per £1,000
EU Insured Post £10 per order, plus £1 per £1,000
USA Airmail $10,
Insured Shipping $20, plus $1 per $1,000
Canada Airmail $15,
Insured Shipping via Fedex $40, plus $1 per $1,000