2000 Pound Coins

Fourth Portrait Obverse Used From 1998 Onwards

Welsh Dragon Design on Reverse of 2000 Silver Proof One Pound

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 dragon 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 dragon 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
The obverse bears the fourth portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, as have all UK coins since 1998.

Reverse
A dragon above the value.
ONE POUND
The dragon, which appears on the badge and flag of Wales, is a potent expression of the strength, fire and spirit of the national character and its depiction on the reverse of the one pound coin embodies centuries of Welsh symbolism. With wings elevated, it has been modelled by Norman Sillman from a drawing provided by the College of Arms.

Early reference to the red dragon is made by the eight-century writer Nenius, who tells the story of the battle that raged between a red and a white dragon beneath the site of Vortigern's castle in Snowdonia. The white dragon is overcome and expelled by the red dragon, and since the appearance of this tale the red dragon has been linked with the great Welsh Princes. A similar story appears in The Mabinogion, where the fighting dragons are trapped in a stone coffer and buried at Dinas Emrys so that their strength would protect Britain.

Technical Specifications

Version	Diameter	Weight	Metal	Alloy	AMW
Ordinary Circulation	22.50	9.50	Nickel - Brass
Silver Proof	22.50	9.50	Silver	0.925 Silver	0.2825
Piedfort Silver Proof	22.50	19	Silver	0.925 Silver	0.5650

Notes
Diameter = Diameter in millimetres
Weight = Weight in grams
Alloy = Proportion of precious metal
AMW = Actual weight in relevant precious metal content in troy ounces.

Version	Issue Limit	Issue Price £
Ordnary Circulation	109,496,500	£Ask
Silver Proof, Box & Certificate	40,000	£Ask
Silver Piedfort Proof, Box & Certificate	10,000	£Ask

For Sale

Ordinary Circulation

Quantity	Rate	Buy
1	£6.00

Silver Proof

Quantity	Rate	Buy
1	£25.00

Piedfort Silver Proof

Quantity	Rate	Buy
1	£55.00

Postage & Packing:
UK: At buyer's Risk £3.50 or
Fully Insured £9 (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.

Issued for Circulation?
We have been asked whether any year 2000 pound coins have been issued for circulation. As at 9th October, 2000, none had been seen, although we are advised by the Royal Mint that it is likely that they will be issued.
On 7th November, we received an e-mail telling us some had been spotted in circulation.
No pound coins were issued for circulation dated 1998 or 1999.

Order Form - UK
Order Form - USA
Order Form - EU
Order Form - Rest of World

1999 Pound Coin - Scottish Lion
2000 Coins Index
More About the Welsh Dragon
Silver Proof Pounds & Silver Piedfort Pounds

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