Milestones in the decimal coinage of the UK

<k> · April 23, 2017, 03:43:19 PM

The new 12-sided pound coin was issued into circulation on 28 March 2017. Many of the new coins are dated 2016. The coin was introduced to combat forgery, after the Royal Mint estimated that as many as 3% of round pound coins in circulation were fake. The round pound coin was demonetised at midnight on 15 October 2017.

The new pound coin is bimetallic, and it includes a latent image and also micro-lettering as security features. A high security feature is also built into the coin to protect it from counterfeiting.

The specifications of the new coin are:

Thickness: 2.8mm.

Weight: 8.75g.

Diameter: 23.43mm (maximum diameter, point to point).

The specifications of the old round pound were:

Thickness: 3.15mm.

Weight: 9.5g.

Diameter: 22.5mm.

<k> · December 10, 2023, 07:50:08 PM

THE REIGN OF KING CHARLES III

Queen Elizabeth II died on 8 October 2022.

She was succeeded by her son, King Charles III.

Charles had been the longest-serving British heir apparent.

He had surpassed Edward VII's record of 59 years on 20 April 2011.

He was 73 years old when he became king.

He was the oldest person ever to become a British monarch.

The previous record holder was William IV.

He was 64 when he became king in 1830.

<k> · December 10, 2023, 07:56:47 PM

UK, 50 pence, 2022.

In October 2022 the UK issued the first coin with the new King's portrait.

It was a circulating commemorative 50 pence.

It commemorated the life and legacy of the late Queen.

Artist Martin Jennings created the obverse design, featuring King Charles III.

<k> · December 10, 2023, 08:05:39 PM

Reverse of the UK commemorative 50 pence of 2022.

The reverse of the coin featured a familiar design.

It came from the late Queen's coronation commemorative 5 shillings coin.

That coin had been issued in 1953.

<k> · December 10, 2023, 08:13:59 PM

UK coronation commemorative 50 pence of 2022.

Martin Jennings produced a crowned portrait of Charles III for his coronation.

It appeared only on various special coronation collector coins of 2023.

The coronation took place at Westminster Abbey on 6 May 2023.

This commemorative coin was not intended for circulation.

<k> · December 11, 2023, 06:09:47 PM

A NEW DESIGN SERIES FOR KING CHARLES III

It is traditional for a new design series to be produced for each new reign.

On 12 October 2023 the Royal Mint revealed that new series.

Most unexpectedly, the reverse designs feature themes of British wildlife.

These themes reflect the King's interest in nature and conservation.

His Majesty personally approved each of the new designs.

The designs were created by the Royal Mint Design Team.

<k> · December 11, 2023, 06:19:48 PM

Obverse of the 1 penny coin.

Image © Royal Mint (UK).

The penny is the lowest denomination of the series.

It is made of copper-plated steel.

These images of the obverse feature a privy mark behind the King's neck.

It is in the form of the Tudor Crown, which is part of The King's cypher.

This privy mark appears only on the mint and proof sets.

It does not appear on the normal circulation coins.

<k> · December 11, 2023, 06:23:01 PM

Reverse of the 1 penny coin.

Image © Royal Mint (UK).

The reverse design features a hazel dormouse.

Its scientific name is Muscardinus avellanarius.

It is one of the UK's rarest mammals.

A pattern of three interlocking C's adorns each of the new designs.

This unifying feature references the cypher of Charles III.

It references the similar cypher on the coins of King Charles II.