Milestones in the decimal coinage of Guernsey

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Like all the first decimal coins, the reverse of the penny featured the coat of arms.

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The two pence featured a windmill on the island of Sark.

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The Sark windmill that is depicted on the 2 pence coin.

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In 1977, Guernsey removed the word "NEW" from the legends on the 1p, 2p, 5p and 10p coins. The UK did not remove the word "NEW" from its coins until 1982.

 

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The penny, here dated 1979, without "NEW".

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The two pence without "NEW".

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The five pence without "NEW".

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In 1979 Guernsey dropped the word "NEW" from the proof version of the fifty pence. That coin appeared in sets only. The first circulation version of the coin was the 1981-dated coin. The image shows a 1983-dated version of the coin.

 

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The half penny was only ever issued for circulation in 1971. However, in 1979 Guernsey dropped the word "NEW" from the proof version of the coin, which appeared in sets only.

 

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Paul Vincze's initials on a pre-decimal three pence.

Usually when a country, dependency or territory switched from a pre-decimal currency to a decimal one, you found some continuity in the coin design. Guernsey was no exception to this trend. It retained its coat of arms as the common obverse, and you will have noticed that it transferred the Guernsey lily and Guernsey cow designs to the new coinage. Similarly, Ireland transferred some designs from its pre-decimal to its decimal coins, and some African countries did the same.

Interestingly, the reverses of Guernsey's final pre-decimal design series and its first decimal coins (with the exception of the 50 pence) were designed by Royal Mint artist and engraver Paul Vincze. This can be seen from his initials, P.V., as seen on the three pence, above. Curiously, his initials were not used on the decimal coins.

 

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The Guernsey pound coin of 1981.

In 1981 Guernsey issued its first circulation pound coin. The edge inscription reads "BAILIWICK OF GUERNSEY". Its reverse design, featuring a Guernsey lily, was by Robert Elderton of the Royal Mint, UK.  The Guernsey pound was a thick nickel-brass coin. It was 22mm in diameter, 2.5mm thick, and weighed 7.9g. The coin was not reissued in 1982.

The UK itself did not issue its own modern circulation pound coin until 1983. If you visit Guernsey, you will find that most of the pound coins in circulation are actually UK coins. This is because Guernsey still issues its own pound notes, and the population prefers them to the coins.

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Guernsey lily: Nerine sarniensis.

Two species, Nerine sarniensis, which is scarlet, and Nerine bowdenii, which is pink, are known as the Guernsey lily.

Despite their common names (sarniensis means "from Guernsey"), neither is a true lily, nor do they originate from the Channel Isles. In fact, they are native to South Africa, though they are now naturalised in France, Madeira and the Azores.

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Guernsey lily: Nerine bowdenii.

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In 1982, Guernsey introduced a circulating 20 pence coin for the first time. The reverse showed a traditional Guernsey milk can, designed by Royal Mint engraver Frederick Mogford. The UK introduced its own 20 pence coin in the same year.

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A traditional Guernsey milk can.