What is a Piedfort Coin?

Piedfort coins are coins that are thicker and heavier than regular issues of the same denomination. These coins are often struck in limited mintages to proof quality, making them highly sought after by both coin collectors and investors.

The history of piedfort coins dates back to the Middle Ages, when they served as prestige pieces or reference coins, and today they’re struck in extremely limited quantities by select mints. In this article, we explore the history of piedfort coins, what makes them different from regular coins, and how you can identify them in your collection.

What is a piedfort coin?

A piedfort coin is a collector’s coin that is thicker and heavier than a regular coin – usually twice as thick as a standard coin of the same design. Piedfort coins have the same diameter and appearance as regular issues, but they contain more precious metal, which makes them heavier and often more valuable in terms of precious metal content.

The term ‘piedfort’ comes from the French words meaning ‘heavy foot’ or ‘heavy measure’ (terms that can translate to heavyweight in idiomatic use). These types of coins can be tracked back to 12th century France, when they were first created as presentation pieces, patterns, or tokens of prestige reserved for royalty, officials, or important diplomats. They were also struck in England, although less frequently.

Today, piedfort coins are mostly minted for collectors and precious metal investors. They’re usually struck in limited numbers using proof finishes, making them extremely rare with a high quality craftsmanship. Most piedfort coins are silver, but you can also find these coins in gold.

See: What is a Proof Coin?

How do you pronounce piedfort?

Piedfort is a French word, and its pronunciation is ‘pee-ay-fore’, although many collectors and dealers in the UK will pronounce it phonetically. The word is also sometimes spelled incorrectly as piefort, but this misspelling has been around for over hundreds of years and is considered acceptable.

What makes piedfort coins different?

There are three main differences between piedfort coins and standard proof or circulation coins: their thickness and weight, manufacturing process, and rarity.

Thickness and weight

The primary difference between piedfort coins and other coins is their thickness and weight. They’re usually struck to be twice as thick, and therefore twice as heavy, as a standard coin of the same denomination. This means they contain more of the precious metal, making them more valuable.

Manufacturing process and quality

Another difference is quality. Most piedfort coins are produced to proof quality, which means they’re struck multiple times using specially prepared dies. Like other proof coins, this means piedfort coins have a sharper detail, mirror-like finish, and higher level of craftsmanship compared to standard bullion or circulating coins.

Rarity

Piedfort coins are also released in limited mintages, often to celebrate commemorative events, special occasions, or anniversaries. For that reason, they’re usually sold in display cases with a certificate of authenticity, which adds another layer of rarity and superior presentation that makes them highly sought after by coin collectors.

To give you an example of piedfort coins' rarity, in 1983 the Royal Mint issued 10,000 sterling silver piedfort one pound coins and 443 million nickel-brass coins for circulation. That's 1 piedfort coin for every 44,305 circulating coins!

Continue Reading: Bullion vs Numismatic Coins

Comparing piedfort coins with regular coins

The table below compares piedfort coins with regular coins:

COIN TYPE	METAL	REGULAR COIN WEIGHT	PIEDFORT COIN WEIGHT
50p	Silver	8.00g	16.00g
£1	Silver	9.50g	19.00g
£2	Silver	12.00g	24.00g
£5	Silver	28.28g	56.56g
50p	Gold	15.50g	31.00g
Full Sovereign	Gold	7.98g	15.96g

The history of piedfort coins

The history of piedfort coins dates back to 12th-century France, when the coins were first struck as presentation pieces or official patterns and served as gifts from monarchs to visiting dignitaries and members of the nobility.

This practice spread to England in the 13th century, during the reign of Edward I. During that time, piedfort coins were often used as pattern pieces, which are trial coins produced to evaluate new designs or send reference samples to regional mints. The double thickness of these pattern pieces helped distinguish them from circulating coinage. The last known English piedfort developed for this purpose was a 1588 sixpence.

In 1504 and 1505, several coins were struck from a variation of the original die for the Sovereign coin. These coins were the first piedfort Sovereigns to be issued by the Royal Mint and were the same diameter but triple or twice the thickness and weight of standard Sovereign coins.

Read: The British Gold Sovereign - All You Need to Know

By the time of the 18th century, the practice of minting piedfort coins had mostly ended. In the 19th century, however, it was revived when the Monnaie de Paris resumed production of piedforts to meet growing demand from collectors. The Royal Mint followed suit nearly a century later and issued its first modern piedfort coin in 1982, a silver 20p struck to proof quality. Since then, the Royal Mint has continued to produce piedfort coins to mark new coin designs, special anniversaries, and royal events, such as the coronation of King Charles III.

Piedfort coins have also been struck by other major mints around the world, including the Royal Canadian Mint, Royal Australian Mint, and China’s mints, which issued piedfort versions of their Gold and Silver Panda coins in 1988. Most of these piedfort coins are designed for collectors, but their added metal content and limited mintage also makes them attractive for precious metal investors looking for something a little different.

How to identify piedfort coins in your collection

Piedfort coins can be easy to miss if you’re not sure what to look for. If you’re wondering if a coin in your collection is a piedfort, here are some things to check:

Weight and thickness

The most obvious feature of a piedfort coin is its extra thickness. These coins are usually about twice as thick, and noticeably heavier, than standard coins of the same diameter. Hold the piedfort coin in one hand and another coin in the other – does it feel heavier? The weight wouldn’t be exactly double but the difference should be significant.

Edge inscriptions

Many piedfort coins include edge lettering that can make them more identifiable. The inscription might include the coin’s denomination, date, or phrases like ‘PIEDFORT’ or ‘DOUBLE THICKNESS’. Most also have a reeded (grooved) edge, although this depends on the mint and issue.

Packaging and documentation

If you bought the coin new or from a reputable dealer, check the original packaging. Piedfort coins are often sold in presentation boxes and come with a certificate of authenticity that should clearly state that they are piedforts.

Do your research

If you’re unsure, a quick way to check if a coin is a piedfort is to look at online coin catalogues and mint archives. Look up the specific coin to see if a piedfort version was issued and compare the specifications to your coin (e.g. diameter, thickness, and weight).

Ask an expert

If you’d rather have someone else check it for you, you can take the coin to a coin dealer or experienced numismatist. These professionals can identify piedforts quickly and can even help you understand its rarity or value.

Why are piedfort coins thicker?

The most distinctive feature of piedfort coins is their thickness – but why are they made that way? The answer dates back to their original purpose in the Middle Ages. At this time, coins in England were struck at various regional mints around the country. To keep the design of these coins consistent across the different locations, specially made pattern coins were created and distributed to engravers to use as reference pieces.

These extra thick coins, which we now call piedforts, were intentionally made thicker and heavier to distinguish them from regular circulating currency. Their extra weight also made sure they wouldn’t accidentally be used as legal tender.

Why collect piedfort coins?

Piedfort coins are often in high demand from collectors, and for many reasons. Because of their extremely low mintages, these coins are rarer than other coins. Like other gold and silver proof coins, piedforts exhibit excellent craftsmanship and are struck multiple times with specially prepared dies. This gives their designs sharper details, a mirror-like surface, and a superior finish.

Another added appeal is that many piedfort coins are issued to celebrate special occasions, designs, or major anniversaries. This adds to their collectible nature and historical significance.

Continue Reading: The Rarest And Most Valuable Coins in the World

Buy gold and silver bullion coins

With their added metal content, limited mintage, and proof-quality finish, piedfort coins make an excellent addition to any coin collection. If you’d like to explore investing in physical gold and silver, browse our selection of high-purity bullion coins and bars. Whether you’re building your coin collection or simply investing in the value of precious metals with a bullion bar, you’re sure to find a valuable piece in our range.

Take a look at our collection from the world’s most trusted mints and start preserving your wealth today.