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, the design and dimensions of coins to be made at Our Mint and to determine the weight and fineness of certain gold coins, 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 coin of the denomination of quarter-sovereign 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:

1. (1) A new coin of gold of the denomination of quarter-sovereign shall be made, being a coin of a standard weight of 1.997 grammes, a standard diameter of 13.5 millimetres, 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, diameter 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 (measured as the average of a sample of not more than one kilogramme of the coin) of 0.00972 grammes;
• b a variation from the said standard diameter of 0.125 millimetres per coin; and
• c a variation from the said millesimal fineness of two per mille.

(3) The least current weight of the said gold coin shall be 1.980 grammes.

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

‘For the obverse impression Our effigy with the inscription “ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF” and for the reverse the image of St George armed, sitting on horseback, attacking the dragon with a sword, and a broken spear upon the ground, and the date of the year. The coin shall have a graining upon the edge’.

2. This Proclamation shall come into force on the eleventh day of December Two thousand and eight.

Given at Our Court at Buckingham Palace, this tenth day of December in the year of our Lord Two thousand and eight and in the fifty-seventh year of Our Reign.

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN