The Olympic silver range has had its sizeable mintage beaten only by silver proof versions of the Beatrix Potter 50ps, Paddington 50ps, Brexit 50p and D-Day 50p. Silver Proof - With 30,000 silver proof coins minted for each design in the London 2012 Sports Collection, these coins are almost prolific in terms of silver 50ps. This practice began in France, which explains the name ‘Piedfort’. Doubling the thickness of the coin allows the mint to double the precious metal content of the coin without changing the design on the coin. Piedfort coins are double the thickness and weight of the standard proof coin. Piedfort coins have an illustrious history that adds evenmore weight to the honour of a gold Piedfort coin. Modern Piedfort coins are generally silver which makes these gold Piedfort coins particularly special. The gold Piedfort versions of these coins represent a serious honour! Only the sports in which Team GB won a gold medal at London 2012 had their design struck in gold Piedfort form.
