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Decus et Tutamen on British Coins Click to return to Coin FAQsChard 24 Carat Home Page
Leek Design on Reverse of 1985 & 1990 One Pound Coins
Leek Design on Reverse of 1985 & 1990 One Pound Coins
Welsh Dragon Design on Reverse of 1995 and 2000 Pound Coins
Heraldic Dragon Design on Reverse of 1995 & 2000 One Pound Coins
Decus Et Tutamen on Edge of English Pound Coins
Decus Et Tutamen on Edge of English Pound Coins

Decus Et Tutamen - Inscription on British Coins
Latin inscription on British coins translates to English as 'An Ornament and a Safeguard', referring the the milling or lettering on the edge, and also the monarch.
Part of the Coin Information section of Chard's 24carat website.
Most of the inscriptions on British coins have traditionally been in Latin, and we are frequently asked what they mean, and also where they are found.
Decus Et Tutamen first appeared on some of the earliest British milled (machine made) coins. It was intended to reassure users that the edge of the coins had not been clipped, but could also be taken to mean that the monarch depicted was also an ornament and a safeguard.

DECUS ET TUTAMEN
InscriptionDecus Et Tutamen
LanguageLatin
TranslationAn ornament and a safeguard
Where UsedEarly British Milled Coins 1662-
Where UsedEdge of 1983 Pound British Design
Where UsedEdge of 1987 Pound English Design
Where Used Edge of 1988 Pound Royal Arms Design


You may wish to visit some of our other pages:
Inscriptions on British Coins
Value of my Coin. What's it Worth?
British Coin Denominations. What's a Groat,? etc.
Common Names of British Coins. What's a Tanner?

Do you have a query about coin inscription?

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