British One Pound Coin, 1989 Scottish Thistle Design
Coin/Bullion · The Royal Mint, Llantrisant, Wales. Founded over 1,100 years ago, it is the official mint of the United Kingdom.
Pattern: Scottish Thistle reverse by Leslie Durbin; obverse portrait by Raphael Maklouf
Type
Coin/Bullion
Maker
The Royal Mint, Llantrisant, Wales. Founded over 1,100 years ago, it is the official mint of the United Kingdom.
Material
Nickel-Brass (70% copper, 5.5% nickel, 24.5% zinc). Note: This is an alloy of base metals, not silver, though it has a gold-toned appearance.
Dimensions
Diameter: 22.5mm; Weight: 9.50 grams; Thickness: 3.15mm. Standard circulating size for the 'round pound'.
Description
This is a classic 'Round Pound' circulating coin from 1989. While it has a warm, metallic luster, it is made of nickel-brass, not silver. The obverse displays the Third Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, wearing the George IV State Diadem. The reverse represents Scotland through the heraldic thistle. These coins were the workhorse of British currency for over three decades until their retirement due to vulnerability to counterfeiting.
Key Features
Third Portrait of Elizabeth II; 1989 date; thick round profile; nickel-brass color; Scottish Thistle motif; beaded inner rim.
Material & Composition
Nickel-Brass (70% copper, 5.5% nickel, 24.5% zinc). Note: This is an alloy of base metals, not silver, though it has a gold-toned appearance.
Finish & Decoration
Die-struck finish with a beaded border. Obverse features the Maklouf portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Reverse features a thistle inside a royal coronet. Beaded edge detail.
Hallmarks & Stamps
No silver hallmarks. Inscriptions: 'ELIZABETH II', 'D·G·REG·F·D', '1989'. Edge inscription (not fully visible): 'NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT' (No one provokes me with impunity).
Construction Details
Machine-made; die-struck from a solid nickel-brass blank using high-pressure industrial presses at the Royal Mint.
Functional Features
Milled edge with incuse lettering for security and ease of identification by touch or machine handling. High relief for durability in circulation.
Handle & Grip Details
None (standard round coinage).
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality industrial mass-production. The die-striking shows clean, crisp lettering and well-defined borders despite decades of circulation wear.
Authentication Indicators
Consistency of the Maklouf portrait; correct date spacing; standard wear patterns for circulating brass alloys; lack of silver hallmarks confirms base-metal status.
Origin & Manufacturing
United Kingdom; manufactured at the Royal Mint's facility in Llantrisant, South Wales.
Era & Period
Late 20th Century / Elizabethan Era (Contemporary coinage). Issued during the Thatcher era of the UK.
Age Estimate
Issued in 1989 (35 years old). Determined by the visible date stamp on the obverse.
Cultural Significance
A symbol of the UK's transition from paper pound notes (withdrawn in 1988) to durable coinage; represents the union of the UK through rotating regional symbols (Scotland in this case).
Condition Notes
Circulated/Good. Visible surface scratches, minor edge nicks, and 'pocket wear' on high points like the hair and crown. Significant tarnish/patina from environmental exposure.
Value Estimate
Face value (£1.00) in the UK (though only via bank deposit now); collector value $1.50 - $3.00 USD for standard circulated examples.
Care & Maintenance
For circulating coins, minimal care is required. Do not clean or polish with abrasives as this destroys numismatic value; store in a cool, dry place in a non-PVC coin flip if collecting.
Similar Pieces
1984 Scottish Thistle Pound; 2014 Thistle and Bluebell edition. Silver Proof versions of this coin exist which contain real .925 sterling silver.
Interesting Facts
The 1989 thistle design was the second time the thistle appeared on the pound; the 'round pound' was demonetized in October 2017 and replaced by the 12-sided bimetallic coin.