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2004 British Gold Pattern Proof Pounds

Heraldic Beast Series

Since 1983, when the new pound coin was issued, the designs on the reverses of the coins have been changed in cycles of five years, one 'British' version, and four other designs each representing the four constituent parts of the United Kingdom. The next series of four national designs, 2004 to 2007, is based on bridges. To decide on this series, a design competition was held. Among the entries was a set of designs based on heraldic beasts. Although these were not the designs chosen for the new pound coins, apparently the design theme was considered good enough for the Royal Mint to issue them as a pattern set.

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.

Limited Issue

The issue limit is 2,250 sets.

Specifications

VersionDesignDiameterWeightAlloyAGW GramsAGW OuncesIssue Limit
EnglishLion22.50 mms19.61 grams.916617.97580.57792,250
ScottishUnicorn22.50 mms19.61 grams.916617.97580.57792,250
WelshDragon22.50 mms19.61 grams.916617.97580.57792,250
IrishWhite Hart22.50 mms19.61 grams.916617.97580.57792,250
Complete Set  78.44 grams.916671.9033 2.31162,250

Prices & Availability

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2003 Bridges and 2004 Beasts (at 5% Premium)

If you buy this set, along with the 2003 Bridges, you'll only pay a 5% premium on both!

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Individual Coins

If you're missing a coin, or just like a particular design, then we are now able to offer individual coins for sale. Each one comes encapsulated, without a box or certificate. Click here for individual 2003 Bridges coins.

England- Lion

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Scotland - Unicorn

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Wales - Dragon

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Northern Ireland - White Hart Stag

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2003 Pattern Pound Proof Sets - Bridges
Please see our special offer deal on the 2003 issue.

2003 & 2004 Combined Pattern Sets

Heraldic Beast Designs

We will add our own descriptions and comments later, but for now we may as well quote the booklet enclosed with the coins. According to the Royal Mint:-
  • Scotland
    Familiar as a supporter on the Scottish and British Royal Arms, the unicorn has the head , body and mane 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, has been used here to represent 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.
    Timothy Noad has depicted the beast facing to the 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 fleurs-de-lis as in the Royal Crest and left-hand supporter of the Royal Arms.
  • 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.
  • How the Designs are Chosen
    Members of the Royal Mint Advisory Committee play a central role in recommending designs for United Kingdom coins, official medals, seals and decorations. Although the number of members has varied since it was established in 1922, in recent years there have usually been about twelve.
    Chaired by Professor Sir Christopher Frayling, Rector of the Royal College of Art and Chairman of the Design Council England, the Advisory Committee is charged with raising the standard of numismatic art.
    Five artists were asked to provide designs for a new series of one pound coins. Each artist chose a different approach to represent England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, a wood engraver Edwina Ellis won with her series of designs depicting bridges.

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) £9 per order, plus £1 per £1,000
EU 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

Pattern Proof Set in Presentation Box

Pattern Proof Set in Presentation Box

One Pound Gold Proofs

Lion or Leopard on Reverse of 2004 Gold Pattern Proof Pound Coin

Lion on Reverse of 2004 English Gold Pattern Proof Pound coin

Hallmarks on side of 2004 Gold Pattern Proof Pound Coin

Hallmarks on side of 2004 English Gold Pattern Proof Pound coin

White Hart Stag on Reverse of 2004 Gold Pattern Proof Pound Coin

White Hart Stag on Reverse of 2004 Northern Ireland Gold Pattern Proof Pound coin

Unicorn on Reverse of 2004 Gold Pattern Proof Pound Coin

Unicorn on Reverse of 2004 Scottish Gold Pattern Proof Pound coin

Dragon on Reverse of 2004 Gold Pattern Proof Pound Coin

Dragon on Reverse of 2004 Welsh Gold Pattern Proof Pound coin

Dragon on Reverse of 2004 Gold Pattern Proof Pound Coin

Obverse of 2004 Gold Pattern Proof Pound coin

Dragon on Reverse of 2004 Gold Pattern Proof Pound Coin

Hereldic Beasts Gold Proof Pattern Coin Set Certificate

 


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