There are five edge inscriptions that have been used. All of them are superimposed on a reeded edge, and are applied to the blanks before the coin is struck. Thus there is a 50% chance of the edge inscription being a particular way up. Blanks with the edge inscription but no design or edge reading have been found in circulation, but are very rare. 1. DECUS ET TUTAMEN, meaning 'An Ornament and a Safeguard' Used on British, English and Northern Ireland designs. 2. NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT, meaning 'No-one provokes me with impunity', which is the Latin Motto of the Order of the Thistle. Used on Scottish designs. 3. PLEIDOL WYF I'M GWLAD, meaning 'True am I to my country', taken from the Welsh National Anthem. Used on Welsh designs. 4. A pattern of lozenges representing the cantilevers of the Forth Rail Bridge. Used on the 2004 Scottish design. 5. A pattern representing bridges and pathways (which looks much the same as that for 2004). Used on the 2005 Welsh and 2006 Irish design. There have been 20 distinct types of pound coin in the 24 years that it has been issued, with new designs from 1994 on, and again from 2004 onwards:
