The Isle of Man mobile phone round pound of 1988

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Isle of Man, 1 pound, 1988.

In 1988 the Isle of Man issued a new series of reverse designs for its circulation coins, entitled "Technology on the Isle of Man". The 1 pound coin depicted a mobile phone, which was still a very modern piece of technology for the public at that time. In fact, they were very expensive, and few people could afford them - unlike nowadays, when even children own them. The Americans call the mobile phone a cell phone, but I expect they understand the British usage.

On the design, you see clearly every number on the phone, and the few other functions too. The coin gives the island's Manx name: Ellan Vannin. "Isle of Man" still appeared on the obverse, however.

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Indeed, bad idea for a coin design. Electronic devices develop so quickly, they are old-fashioned by the time the coin can be circulated and over the normal lifetime of a coin, the design becomes ridiculous and it symbolises the opposite of the intended theme of modernity.

Not counting military portable phones, the mobile phone is now 45 years old and it has changed completely. The screen now occupies practically all of the front. The antenna is inside. The device is really thin, making it lighter than smaller, older devices. It can be charged without a wire and it recognises its owner by fingerprint or by "sight". The keyboard is virtual. The phone is voice-controlled. The memory functions are amazing. The ability to block certain numbers is a blessing. Comparing the phone on the coin with a present-day iPhone X is like comparing a car with a cart.

Peter