Micro text is another feature, with an inscription reading: “Decus et Tutamen” (“an ornament and a safeguard”) surrounding Britannia, created using specialist lasers.

Meanwhile, micro-text means the inscription "DECUS ET TUTAMEN" ("an ornament and a safeguard") surrounds Britannia, created using specialist lasers.

Micro text is another feature, with an inscription reading: “Decus et Tutamen” (“an ornament and a safeguard”) surrounding Britannia, created using specialist lasers.

Even today, the UK pound bears the words decus et tutamen – meaning “an ornament and a safeguard”. Money has come a long way from the days when coins had intrinsic worth.

•decus et tutamen •nemo me impune lacessit •pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad •pro tanto quid retribuamus •domine dirige nos •y ddraig goch ddyry cychwyn •nisi dominus frustra.

However, the seller from Northern Ireland was in luck. The coin is inscribed along the edge with the words "DECUS ET TUTAMEN", which means "glory and defence".