BY THE QUEEN

A PROCLAMATION

DETERMINING THE SPECIFICATIONS AND DESIGN FOR A NEW SERIES OF ONE POUND COINS OF GOLD

ELIZABETH R.

Whereas under section 3(1)(a), (b), (c) and (d) of the Coinage Act 1971 We have power, with the advice of Our Privy Council, by Proclamation to determine the denomination, design and dimensions of coins to be made at Our Mint, to determine the weight and fineness of certain gold coins and to determine the remedy to be allowed in the making of such coins and their least current weight:

And Whereas it appears to Us desirable to order that there should be made at Our Mint a series of coins in gold:

We, therefore, in pursuance of the said section 3(1)(a), (b), (c), and (d) and of all other powers enabling Us in that behalf, do hereby, by and with the advice of Our Privy Council, proclaim, direct and ordain as follows:

THE ONE POUND COIN

1.  (1) A new coin of gold of the denomination of one pound shall be made, being a coin of a standard weight of 19.619 grammes, a standard diameter of 22.5 millimetres, and a millesimal fineness of 916.66, and being circular in shape.

  (2) In the making of the said gold coin a remedy (that is, a variation from the standard weight or fineness specified above) shall be allowed of an amount not exceeding the following, that is to say:

  (a) a variation from the said standard weight of an amount per coin of 0.050 grammes; and

  (b) a variation from the said millesimal fineness of two per mille.

  (3) The least current weight of the said gold coin shall be 19.45 grammes.

  (4) The design of the said coin shall be as follows:-

“For the obverse impression Our effigy with the inscription ‘ELIZABETH·II·D·G·REG·F·D·’ and the date of the year, and for the reverse either –

a)  a representation of the Gateshead Millennium bridge with a border of struts;

b)  a representation of the Forth Railway bridge with a border of railway tracks;

c)  a representation of the Menai Straits bridge with a border of railings and stanchions; or

d)  a representation of the Egyptian arch railway bridge in County Down with a border of railway station canopy dags,

and beneath the same words ‘ONE POUND’. The coins shall have a graining upon the edge and an incuse decorative feature symbolising bridges and pathways”.

3.  This Proclamation shall come into force on the tenth day of February Two thousand and five.

Given at Our Court at Buckingham Palace, this ninth day of February in the year of our Lord Two thousand and five and in the fifty-fourth year of Our Reign.

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN