2004 Whole Coin Set UK £1 Pattern Set Gold Proof Beasts

This 2004 Gold Proof Pattern £1 four coin set bears engravings of four beasts which represent the four nations of the United Kingdom by Timothy Noad.

• Struck in 22 carat gold, 0.916 fineness
• Each coin weighs 0.5779 troy ounce, whole set 2.3116 t.o.
• Issue Limit 2,250
• Comes in a presentation box with certificate

Please note there are some light surface scratches on this set. 

Gold One Pound Pattern Coins

The coins bear the inscription "PATTERN" instead of "ONE POUND". The designs were never released as circulation coins. As pattern coins they have a plain edge with a hallmark rather than a reeded and inscribed edge.

This coin set is not British legal currency and is subject to VAT. However, as we are selling these sets on the special scheme, you only pay VAT on the dealer's premium which is included in the selling price. This is a perfect opportunity to purchase a numismatic collection at bullion prices.

Pattern Pieces

Pattern pieces differ from coins issued for general circulation. They are not finished legal tender coins and are widely recognised by collectors as exceptional items. The plain edge, coupled with their hallmarks and rarity ensure that they are distinct and highly collectable items. On this occasion, the particular designs are unlikely to appear on any British legal coin, but making them available in this way helps to reveal something of the process behind designing a new United Kingdom coin. Featuring representative heraldic beasts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and England, these exceptional pieces are beautiful examples of numismatic art.

The obverse of each coin bears the fourth definitive UK coin portrait of Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley.

Scotland

Familiar as a supporter on the Scottish and British Royal Arms, the unicorn has the head and body of a horse, a goat-like beard, the cloven hoofs of a deer, the tail of a lion and a prominent long spiralling horn set in its forehead. It was renowned for its rivalry with the lion, a rivalry that acquired a political dimension when the thrones of England and Scotland were united under King James in 1603. James was the first monarch to adopt the famous supporters on the Royal Coat of Arms - a lion for England and a unicorn for Scotland. Timothy Noad's powerful representation of the unicorn features the crowned heraldic beast facing to the right and adorned with a chained coronet around its neck.

Wales

The heraldic dragon has a body of reptilian nature covered with a mail of plates and scales and a row of formidable spines extending from head to tail, ending in a great and deadly stinger. The fearsome monster has round luminous eyes, a dangerous spike on his nose, a forked tongue, eagle's feet and the wings of a bat. In heraldry, it is symbolic of power, wisdom and astuteness. The Welsh dragon was used in the Royal Arms in the sixteenth century. A red dragon features on the royal badge for Wales and is a common device in the civic or family heraldry of the Principality. Timothy Noad's portrayal of this beast displays the long forked tongue extending from an open mouth, a myriad of scales covering its head and vicious spines to ward off any enemies.

Northern Ireland

The White Hart, a male deer with branching antlers, represents Northern Ireland because it occurs in the Royal Crest as used in the province, springing from the portal of a tower. Its history dates back to medieval times, being employed for example as the badge of Richard II. In earlier versions of his designs, Timothy Noad incorporated elements from the Irish elk, especially in relation to the antlers, to reinforce the association with Northern Ireland heraldry. The beast faces left, with widely branched antlers protruding from its head and a long dense mane.

England

The lion is the most popular and one of the oldest beasts in heraldry. It appears in the arms of Great Britain, Denmark, Spain, Holland and numerous other European countries. As early as 1127 Henry I used the lion as an ornament on a shield. The early English heralds confused the lion with the leopard and although never drawn spotted as the real leopard, it was described as leo-pard, or a lion as a leopard.
Lions in medieval times were associated with Christianity, representing justice and righteous power and many royal coat of arms featured them. Richard I had three lions on his Royal SEal and subsequently this device came to be used as the Royal Arms of England. The lion is the king of the beasts and has been used in the Royal Arms of England since the Plantagenets. Here the lion's head is shown in full-face and is crowned with a coronet of alternate crosses and fleur-de-lis as in the Royal Crest and left-hand supporter of the Royal Arms.