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.

Edge

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

"DECUS ET TUTAMEN"

This may 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.

Llantrisant Mint Mark

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".

Giant's Causeway

Northern Ireland is renowned for its scenic beauty and its lush green pastures. Yet its most intriguing feature is perhaps to be found in the rugged columns off the coast of County Antrim - The Giant's Causeway.

Irish Folklore holds that the structure was laid down by the giant epic warrior, Finn McCool. Having invited the Scottish colossus, Benandonner to fight him, Finn McCool generously provided stepping stones to spare Benandonner from getting his feet wet before the contest. The truth behind the Causeway is barely less spectacular. About 50 million years ago, Antrim was at the heart of a great volcanic region. When the plates of the earth's crust moved apart to form what is now the Atlantic Ocean, sheets of molten lava were forced upwards through the opening fissures. As the lava cooled, like the mud of a dry river bed, shrinkage cracks occurred. These extended downwards to form the hexagonal columns evident today.

Obverse

The obverse bears the new, third portrait of The Queen introduced in 1985. The same Diadem also appears on the obverse 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.

Reverse

A flax plant, encircled by the Royal Diadem, appears on the reverse of the 1986 one pound coin representing Northern Ireland. The design is the work of distinguished silversmith Leslie Durbin.

Flax is the oldest textile known to man. Evidence of flax in different stages of working was unearthed during excavations of Bronze Age settlements dating from 8000 B.C. One of its uses at this time was for the making of fishing nets.

It is thought that the use of linen in Northern Ireland may have been introduced by Phoenician traders around 370 B.C. The development of Irish linen as a domestic industry may later have been encouraged by the monks of Northern Ireland, and there is a clear reference to the linen trade in A.D. 1273, when it was reported to be flourishing. Today, Northern Ireland remains one of the main linen manufacturing areas of the world.

The flax fibres run the full length within the plant, and therefore the flax is pulled, not cut, at harvesting. It is therefore appropriate that Leslie Durbin has chosen to show the plant with its roots.

Specification

Version	Diameter (mm)	Weight (grams)	Metal	Alloy	Actual Metal Weight (troy ounces)	Issue Limit
Ordinary Circulation	22.50	9.50	Nickel-brass			10,409,501
Uncirculated in Folder	22.50	9.50	Nickel-brass			19,908
Silver Proof	22.50	9.50	Silver	0.925 Silver	0.2825	37,598
Piedfort Silver Proof	22.50	19	Silver	0.925 Silver	0.5650	15,000

2024 Christmas Opening Hours and Despatch Dates

General

Tuesday 24th December 2024 - Phone lines 9:30 - 14:00 (Last showroom appointment 12:00pm - Collections Only).
Wednesday 25th December 2024 - Wednesday 1st January 2025 - Closed (Urgent enquiries will still be answered during this time).
Thursday 2nd January 2025 - Normal Business Hours.
All orders placed between Friday 20th December 2024 and Wednesday 1st January 2025 will be despatched between 2nd - 5th January 2025.

Hatton Garden

Closed 20th December 2024 - 5th January 2025 inclusive.

Christmas Despatch 2024

Last despatch date for UKSTANDARD orders in time for Christmas – Monday 16th December.
Last despatch date for UKSPECIAL orders over £5,000 in time for Christmas – Thursday 19th December.
Last despatch date for UKSPECIAL orders below £5,000 in time for Christmas & UKSTANDARDS orders not in time for Christmas – Friday 20th December.

Internationals

Last despatch date for international orders in time for Christmas – Monday 2nd December.
Last despatch date for all internationals – Monday 16th December.

Distance Buy-Ins

Distance Buy Ins (DBI) – Last despatch date for DBI packaging – Packaging shipped out Monday 16th to arrive with customer Tuesday 17th to be collected by DPD Wednesday 18th to arrive with us Thursday 19th.

New Year

First despatch date in the New Year – Thursday 2nd January 2025.

Delivery Information

We aim to dispatch orders within 48 hours of receiving cleared funds. Our standard delivery methods are as follows.

Orders over £60 - Fully Insured Delivery.

Within the UK and BFPO - Next day fully insured and tracked. Delivery starts from £6.

Orders under £60

Within the UK and BFPO - Royal Mail 2nd Class. Your order will normally arrive within 2-3 working days. Delivery starts from £3.50.

If you wish to have your order sent by an alternative method (e.g., Saturday Guaranteed) please contact +441253343081 for more information. Please note, we will not dispatch high value orders over a bank holiday weekend.

For international delivery, please check with your local customs office for more information on custom duty and taxes.

Full delivery information can be found by clicking here.

Postal Insurance

We offer fully insured delivery on all special delivery options. We do need to pass on the cost of this insurance as it soon adds up shipping high value gold and silver products.

Orders under £1500 there is no additional fee.
Orders over £1500 we charge a fee in order to cover the increasing costs of insurance. For every £1500 we apply a £1 fee.

If you require any assistance, please do not hesitate to call the showroom on +441253343081 and one of our team can discuss your purchase.

Terms of Sale - Key Points

You can find more information on payment and identification requirements.

Bullion coins are provided as is and on occasion may have some minor scratches or edge knocks. These are not regarded as faulty or damaged goods as their precious metal content and value as a bullion coin is not affected. Any coin sold for a value less than a 180% intrinsic is considered a bullion coin.

Gold investment products are VAT free. Silver investment products are inclusive of VAT at the current rate unless otherwise stated.

All investment products are based on the live precious metal price. Prices will be fixed once the item has been added to the basket and recalculates just before checking out.

If your product is not a graded coin and is considered a bullion item, it should be noted that these are bought and sold on low premiums over their precious metal content and not solely for aesthetic purposes; therefore, some products may have edge knocks and/or marks. These edge knocks and marks do not alter the specifications of the coins.

Please note that all investment products are exempt from the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 and therefore customers do not have the right to cancel their order once the order has been accepted. If customers no longer wish to go ahead with their investment purchase, there is an option to sell the products back to Chard (1964) Ltd instead. View our current buy back prices.

View our full Terms & Conditions.

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