1985 Pound Coins

The Third Portrait Was Introduced In1985

Leek Design on Reverse of 1985 & 1990

'Pleidiol Wyf I'm Gwlad' on Edge of 1985 Scottish Pound Coins

The Principality of Wales
Wales has a population of approximately 2.75 million and covers about one twelfth of the land area of the United Kingdom. Perhaps its most distinctive feature is the Welsh language, still spoken by a fifth of the population.
The leek had been recognised as the emblem of Wales since the middle of the 16th century. Its association with Wales can in fact be traced back to the battle of Heathfield in 633 AD, when St. David persuaded his countrymen to distinguish themselves from their Saxon foes by wearing a leek in their caps.
In 1301 Edward I conferred the title Prince of Wales on his son Edward, who had been born some years earlier at Caernavon. Since that time the heir to the throne has usually, though not invariably, been created Prince of Wales.
Many will remember the colourful investiture ceremony at Caernavon in July 1969 for Prince Charles, who was created Prince of Wales in 1958.
His ostrich feather badge, the distinctive badge of the Heir Apparent since Tudor times, currently appears on the reverse on the 2p.

Obverse
1985 heralds the appearance of a new effigy of The Queen for use on the obverse of the circulating coinage of the United Kingdom. This is only the third portrait of The Queen to be used on United Kingdom coins since her accession in 1952.
Invitations to take part in a competition for the new portrait were accepted by seventeen artists, who submitted a total of 38 models.
These models were examined by the Royal Mint Advisory Committee, presided over by HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, and the work of Raphael David Maklouf was selected.
The first effigy of the Queen, designed by Mary Gillick, was used on the United Kingdom coinage from Her Majesty's accession until decimalisation. It was replaced by the Arnold Machin effigy which was adopted for United Kingdom coins in 1968 and was subsequently used for nearly all our coins until 1984.
The traditional Royal Maundy Money, however, still bears the portrait by Mary Gillick.

Reverse
In the words of the Royal Proclamation, the reverse design shows "a Leek eradicated enfiling a representation of Our Royal Diadem".
The design is the work of distinguished silversmith Leslie Durbin.

Edge
The edge is not only milled but also inscribed. The inscription in Welsh reads:-
PLEIDIOL, WYF I'M GWLAD
Which means "True am I to my country".
The cross-crosslet mintmark of the Royal Mint Llantrisant also appears on the edge.

Technical Specifications

Alloy	Nickel-Brass
Copper	70%
Zinc	24.5%
Nickel	5.5%
Diameter	22.5 mm
Weight	9.5 grams

Version	Grade	Qty Issued	Availability	Price £	Price $
Ordinary	Brilliant Uncirculated		Yes	£4	$Ask
Specimen in Folder	Brilliant Uncirculated	24,850	Ask	£6	$Ask
Silver Proof	FDC	50,000	Yes	£22	$36
Silver Piedfort Proof	FDC	15,000	Ask	£45	$74

Postage & Packing:
UK: At buyer's Risk £2.50 or
Fully Insured £6 (Usually by Royal Mail Special Delivery)
USA: Airmail at buyer's risk $10 or
Fully Insured $20
For further details, please see our Postage & Packing page.

Order Form

Order Form USA

Order Form - Rest of World

1985 Coin Sets

If you want to find the value of a coin you own, please take a look at our page I've Found An Old Coin, What's It Worth?

Questions They Ask Us

Silver Proof Pounds & Silver Piedfort Pounds