1987 UK Coin £1 Silver Proof English Oak Tree

The edge is not only milled but also inscribed. The inscription in Latin reads:

"DECUS ET TUTAMEN"

This can be translated as "an ornament and a safeguard". This inscription dates back to the first machine-struck coins minted in 1662 and was a device to prevent "clipping", and was used on the first pound coin in 1983.

On the milled edge of the coin is the Llantrisant mint mark - a cross crosslet. This is the first United Kingdom coin to be struck with this distinctive feature. The shape of the cross alluding to Llantrisant, which translated from the Welsh means "Church or Parish of the Three Saints".

The English Oak is steeped in history and legend. Forests of oak are a reminder of folk heroes such as Robin Hood, while "Hearts of Oak" conveys a sense of the centuries-old debt to the English Navy which protected an island Kingdom from invasion. Renowned for its solidity, strength and durability, the oak has proved to be one of the most valuable timbers both today and in ancient times. As a maritime nation, England used oak for shipbuilding for centuries, providing the timbers of the ships which protected its shores in the days of Drake, and later, Nelson.

The oak also has a connection with Royalty. In 1651, after the Battle of Worcester, King Charles II successfully escaped from Cromwell's troops by hiding in an oak tree. After the restoration of the monarchy on 29th May 1660, the day was celebrated as "Oak Apple Day".

On 28 March 2017, the circulated round pound was replaced by the 12 sided £1 coin. On the 15 October the round £1 coin will cease to be legal tender.

Read more about the pound coin in our blogs:

One Pound Coin Designs, The Complete Collection 1983 - 2017

Introducing the New 12 Sided One Pound Coin

One Pound Coin Specifications

Why Did They Make 2016 12 Sided £1 Coins?

What is a 2016 Twelve Sided New £1 Pound Coin Worth?

Obverse

The obverse bears the new, third portrait of The Queen introduced in 1985.

Reverse

The English one pound coin features for the first time on the United Kingdom coinage, an oak tree in its entirety.

The oak, however, is no stranger to our coinage. From the nineteenth century a wreath of oak, or oak combined with olive or laurel appeared on certain silver coins, while sixpences and threepences issued form 1927 to 1936 show acorns growing from interlaced oak twigs or branches. Maundy Money continues to show a wreath of oak.

The design is the work of distinguished silversmith Leslie Durbin. The eminent silversmith, Leslie Durbin, whose commissions include the special hallmark for Her Majesty's Silver Jubilee, prepared four designs to appear on the reverse of the one pound coin from 1984 to 1987. The designs represent the four constituent parts of the United Kingdom. He has chosen to unify the series by showing each of the floral emblems encircled by the Royal Diadem, the crown worn by Her Majesty to and from the State Opening of Parliament. The same Diadem also appears as part of the new portrait of The Queen. This portrait, modelled by Raphael Maklouf, appeared on United Kingdom coinage for the first time in 1985.

Specification