British One Pound coin
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- This article discusses the British One Pound circulating coin issued since 1983, only. For earlier coins worth One Pound, please see the articles on the Sovereign, Broad, Laurel, and Unite.
The circulating British One Pound (£1) coin is minted from a nickel-brass alloy of approximately 70% copper, 24.5% zinc, and 5.5% nickel. The coin weighs 9.50 grams and has a diameter of 22.50 millimetres.
The coin was introduced in 1983 to replace the Bank of England One Pound note, which ceased to be issued at the end of 1984 and was removed from circulation (though still redeemable at the Bank's offices) on 11 March 1988. One pound notes are still issued in Jersey, Guernsey and by the Royal Bank of Scotland, however the pound coin is more widely used.
The £1 coin has the standard obverse designs used on all contemporary British coins, namely the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Arnold Machin in 1983 and 1984, by Raphael Maklouf between 1985 and 1997, and by Ian Rank-Broadley since 1998. All have had the inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D date.
An interesting feature of this denomination is that the design of the reverse of the coin changes each year to show, in turn, an emblem representing the UK, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and England, together with an appropriate edge inscription. The inscription ONE POUND appears at the bottom of the reverse design.
The variations are:
- 1983: Ornamental Royal Arms. Edge inscription: DECUS ET TUTAMEN ("An ornament and a safeguard" – originally on 17th century coins, this refers to the inscribed edge as a protection against the clipping of precious metal).
- 1984: Thistle sprig in a coronet, representing Scotland. Edge inscription: NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT ("No-one provokes me with impunity" – the Latin motto of the Order of the Thistle).
- 1985. Leek in a coronet, representing Wales. Edge inscription: PLEIDIOL WYF I'M GWLAD ("I am true to my country" – from the chorus of the Welsh National Anthem).
- 1986: Flax in a coronet, representing Northern Ireland. Edge inscription: DECUS ET TUTAMEN.
- 1987: Oak tree in a coronet, representing England. Edge inscription: DECUS ET TUTAMEN.
- 1988: Crown over shield. Edge inscription: DECUS ET TUTAMEN.
- 1989: As 1984.
- 1990: As 1985.
- 1991: As 1986.
- 1992: As 1987.
- 1993: As 1983.
- 1994: Lion rampant within a border, representing Scotland. Edge inscription: NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT.
- 1995: Welsh dragon. Edge inscription: PLEIDIOL WYF I'M GWLAD.
- 1996: Celtic cross and pimpernel, representing Northern Ireland. Edge inscription: DECUS ET TUTAMEN.
- 1997: Three lions passant guardant, representing England. Edge inscription: DECUS ET TUTAMEN.
- 1998: As 1983. Issued in collectors' sets only, not for circulation.
- 1999: As 1994. Issued in collectors' sets only, not for circulation.
- 2000: As 1995.
- 2001: As 1996.
- 2002: As 1997.
- 2003: As 1983.
The designs for 2004, 2005, and the planned designs for 2006–2007, feature bridges in different parts of the UK:
- 2004: Forth Bridge (Scotland).
- Obverse: Rank-Broadley head, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2004, starting below, IRB directly under the bust. Encircled by dots.
- Reverse: Forth Rail Bridge, ONE POUND below. Encircled by a railway line.
- Edge: Two overlapping lines, one curved and one angular, reminiscent of the shape of the bridge.
- 2005: Menai Suspension Bridge (Wales). First sighted 4th November 2005.
- Obverse: Rank-Broadley head, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2004, starting below, IRB directly under the bust. Encircled by dots.
- Reverse: Menai Suspension Bridge, ONE POUND below. Encircled by a truss.
- Edge: Two overlapping lines, one curved and one angular.
- 2006: MacNeill's Egyptian Arch at Newry (Belfast–Dublin railway line, Northern Ireland).
- 2007: Millennium Bridge, Newcastle/Gateshead (England).
All years except 1998 and 1999 have been seen in circulation, although the number issued has varied enormously – 1983 and 1984 in particular had large mintages to facilitate the changeover from paper notes, while some years such as 1986 and 1988 are only rarely seen (although 1988 is more noticeable as it has a unique reverse). Production since 1997 has been reduced, thanks to the introduction of the circulating Two Pound coin.
It is estimated that 1% of £1 coins in circulation are counterfeit [1]. One common method of detecting counterfeits (if the sound of the coin on a table or the colour of the metal doesn't indicate something suspicious) is to check whether the reverse matches the edge inscription for the alleged year – it is extremely common for counterfeiters to get this wrong.
Further reading
In an April 1993 The New Yorker article 'Britannia's New Bra Size', Julian Barnes describes the meetings to choose the 1994–1997 reverse designs. This is reprinted in his book 'Letters from London'.
See also
External links
| British coinage |
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| Coins currently in use One Penny | Two Pence | Five Pence | Ten Pence | Twenty Pence Fifty Pence | One Pound | Two Pounds Coins not in general circulation Half Penny | Twenty-Five Pence | Five Pounds |