Unadopted UK Decimal Designs Circa 1966/7

[chrisild]

A game of shields? Most of Seller's designs are similar to already existing designs at that time.

That may, by itself, not be such a bad idea. New designs that are similar to old/existing ones suggest continuity. "Don't worry, it is a new currency, but you get the symbols and emblems that you are used to" ...

What I do not like that much is details such as different sizes for the digits indicating the face value, such as a giant "5" but a tiny "10". Yes, I know that British (and Americans) do not like digits anyway for such purposes, but if you use them, they should be roughly the same size. Also, if you look at the 20p design, the year is split ("19" left, "71" right) - does that mean the face value is 2020 pence?

Side note: Were there plans to call the 50p coin (instead of the 25p) a crown?

Christian

[<k>]

Were there plans to call the 50p coin (instead of the 25p) a crown?

Christian

In the early 1960s, officials considered making one pound equivalent to two units of a new currency, e.g. one old pound = two new "Britos" (I have invented that name, of course). That idea was dropped after the City (the world of finance and banking in London) strongly objected to such an idea. To them, the pound was a symbol of virility, and they did not want to see it downsized.

[augsburger]

Considering the mint made a design brief for the 1 pound coin that it might be better to use such stuff, you can understand why people back then did too.

[chrisild]

Oh, I see. The male chauvinist p...ound.   Thanks for the info!

Christian

[eurocoin]

A series of designs by Royal Mint engraver Reynolds Stone.

[eurocoin]

Designs by Richard Guyatt:

[<k>]

Richard Guyatt, right, with Robert Elderton.