2008 British Gold Jig-Saw Proof Coin Sets
All British circulation coin designs will change during 2008, a 7 coin gold 'Jig-Saw' proof set will be issued, containing one each of the current designs, the last of the old.
According to The Royal Mint
The coinage of the United Kingdom is changing. Familiar designs that have served us well for almost 40 years will be replaced by a new set of designs, contemporary in treatment yet grounded in the traditions of the coinage. Now, in a new age, the time has come to rejuvenate the coinage by seeking designs that treat traditional symbols in an innovative and modern way. The series that has been chosen brings new life to the coinage and, like the decimal designs 40 years ago, draws inspiration from the very fabric of British history.
The Royal Mint is launching the new designs for the United Kingdom's coinage and to mark the occasion a limited-edition Gold Proof Collection is available, giving collectors the opportunity to own a piece of numismatic history.
- Be one of the first to own the seven coins, from the 1p to the £1, featuring the brand new designs in one magnificent collection
- Be part of the biggest design change in British numismatic history since decimalisation
- Enhance your own collection with a set of historic coins struck in 22 carat gold to Proof quality
- Be one of only 2,008 collectors worldwide to own the 'first of the new' Gold Collection.
As a gift.
The Royal Shield of Arms Gold Proof Collection containing the seven new coins is the ideal gift for coin collectors and is the perfect memento of this historic time in numismatic history as the 'first of the new' coin designs are unveiled.
Product Information
The seven 22 carat gold Proof coins featuring the new reverses are available in a high quality oak-veneer presentation case together with an informative booklet telling the story of the recent competition for the new designs and containing a profile of the winning designer. A numbered Certificate of Authenticity, attesting to the extremely low worldwide issue limit of just 2,008, is incorporated into the booklet.
Background and History
As a powerful symbol of royal authority the Royal Arms, in its various forms, has featured on the coinage of almost every monarch since the reign of Edward III (1327-77). Coins were, and still are, issued under the personal authority of the monarch and came to be regarded as vehicles for royal imagery, whether in the form of a portrait or a monarch's personal Coat of Arms. As heraldry itself started to grow as a symbol of royal identity, it was a natural progression for it to appear on the coinage. It is not surprising then that Matthew Dent, the winning designer, chose the Royal Arms, and in particular the shield of the Royal Arms, as the theme for his innovative range of new designs, with all four quarters spread over the six coins from the 1p to the 50p. Completing the new range of coins is the £1 coin featuring the shield of the Royal Arms in its entirety, uniting the six fragmented elements into one design.
The process of choosing the new designs to replace the familiar heraldic emblems on Britain's circulating coins began with a public competition which generated more than 4,000 designs from over 500 people - the largest response to any public competition organised to change the British coinage.
Matthew Dent, a professional graphic designer, had seen the competition advertised in one of the
national newspapers and he threw himself wholeheartedly into the project. In seeking to spread a single design across six denominations, Matthew Dent conceived an idea that has never been realised before on the British coinage. Against all the odds, a young artist has won a public competition and devised a stunningly original series that stands as an imaginative and clever solution.
Specifications
Denomination |
Description |
Diameter |
Weight |
Alloy |
AGW* |
Pound |
Royal Arms |
22.50 |
19.62 |
.9166 |
0.5782 |
Fifty Pence |
Partial Arms |
27.30 |
15.50 |
.9166 |
0.4568 |
Twenty Pence |
Partial Arms |
21.40 |
9.75 |
.9166 |
0.2873 |
Ten Pence |
Partial Arms |
24.50 |
12.66 |
.9166 |
0.3731 |
Five Pence |
Partial Arms |
18.00 |
6.33 |
.9166 |
0.1866 |
Two Pence |
Partial Arms |
25.91 |
13.96 |
.9166 |
0.4114 |
One Penny |
Partial Arms |
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.
Information
Date | Description | Issue Limit
|
2008 | Gold 7 Coin Jig-Saw Set | 2,008
|
Prices & Availability
Call to check availability |
2008 Emblems of Britain and Royal Shield of Arms Gold Proof Dual Collection
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) £9 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
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2008 British Gold 'Jig-Saw' Proof Coin Collection in Case
British Gold Sets Information
2008 Emblems of Britain 7 Coin Gold Proof Set
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2008 British Gold 'Jig-Saw' Proof Coin Collection in Box
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