British Gold Pattern Proof Pounds
2003 Bridges & 2004 Royal Beasts Collections
From 2004 to 2007, there was due to be another theme change in the design of UK circulation pound coins. The Royal Mint held a competition among engravers to help chose new designs. The successful theme which was selected was bridges, but a Royal Beasts theme was possibly more aesthetically pleasing.Ahead of the new pound coin series, the Royal Mint decided to release and market a pattern set of coins, in gold and in silver. all dated 2003. There are precedents for this, but it has never been a regular feature of Royal Mint activities. The Mint officials must have been pleased at the response to the 2003 offering, as they followed it by a 2004 set featuring the Beasts. Each set was marketed separately, but as you can see from our photographs, there was also a double set issued.
Each set has its own page on our website, but this page is devoted to both sets together.
- 2003 UK Bridges Series
It seems strange that the Forth design is the first design, but the 2004 pound will be the "Scottish" version, therefore will have a representation of the Forth Railway Bridge as its reverse design.
The next design, that for 2005, is the Welsh version featuring the Menai Straits Bridge in Wales.
The 2006 design is the Northern Irish version with the Egyptian Arch Railway Bridge, which is on the main Dublin to Belfast railway line.
The last of the four designs 2007, is the English one, which has the Gateshead Millennium Bridge. - 2004 Heraldic Beast Series
Lion, Unicorn, Dragon & White Hart
These four beasts represent England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland respectively.
The coins bear the inscription "PATTERN" where they would normally say "ONE POUND". They also have a plain edge rather than a reeded and inscribed edge, and the coins are hallmarked on their edge.
Specifications
| Version | Design | Diameter | Weight | Alloy | AGW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
English
|
Lion | 22.50 mms | 19.61 grams | .9166 | 0.5779 |
|
Scottish
|
Unicorn | 22.50 mms | 19.61 grams | .9166 | 0.5779 |
|
Welsh
|
Dragon | 22.50 mms | 19.61 grams | .9166 | 0.5779 |
|
Irish
|
White Hart | 22.50 mms | 19.61 grams | .9166 | 0.5779 |
|
Complete Set
|
78.44 | .9166 | 2.3112 | ||
|
Both Sets Complete
|
156.88 | .9166 | 4.6224 |
Notes on Table
Weight = gross weight in grams.Alloy = Purity of gold alloy.
AGW = Actual intrinsic gold weight in troy ounces.
Prices & Availability
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More Information
More information about British gold sets is available on our British Gold Sets Information page.You may wish to use our order form .
Postage & Packing
UK Registered Post (Special Delivery) £5 per order, plus £1 per £1,000EU Insured Post £10 per order, plus £1 per £1,000
USA Airmail $10,
Insured Shipping $20, plus $1 per $1,000
Canada Airmail $15,
Insured Shipping via Fedex $30, plus $1 per $1,000
Coins Wanted We make an active market in almost all coins, including gold proofs and patterns. If you have any of these coins to sell, please contact us, or post them to us for appraisal and offer.
2003 Bridges & 2004 Beasts Gold Proof Pattern Sets in Box
Gateshead's Millennium Bridge on Reverse of 2003 Gold Pattern Proof Pound Coin
Unicorn on Reverse of 2004 Gold Pattern Proof Pound Coin
Bridges and Beasts Gold Proof Pattern Set Certificate
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32 - 36 Harrowside, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY4 1RJ, England. Telephone (44) - (0) 1253 - 343081; Fax 408058;
E-mail: Contact Us The URL for our main page is: taxfreegold.co.uk