UK coins: pennies and pounds

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

The United Kingdom's numismatic system is extremely complex. All British coins are regularly updated, and until 1971 they were not yet a multiple of ten. This circumstance forced ordinary buyers to perform a whole series of intricate mathematical operations in their minds.

The Pound sterling has been the official and unchanging currency of all UK territories for decades. Today, the British also use pence. Pound and two-pound coins of Great Britain are decorated with the profile of Queen Elizabeth II. On the reverse side is a symbolic coat of arms. It is a reflection of several heraldic traditions at once. His drawing was based on English and Scottish lions and the Celtic harp.

Serial production

Only British 1 GBP coins can boast of the whole emblem present on the reverse. The two-pounder has an intricate abstract ornament. It is worth noting that Pound sterling does not have a set reverse. It is updated every couple of years. Previously, this procedure was carried out annually. The cycle has a certain thematic focus. One season can be dedicated to metropolitan cities,the other to bridge structures and famous crossings.

As part of the interim issues, the coats of arms of the subjects of the United Kingdom are placed on the reverse. In this case, they are presented most fully, without cuts and abbreviations. So, the "Symbols" collection, which was released into circulation, includes the following motifs decorating British coins:

• Scottish lion;
• dragon of Wales;
• English lions;
• Cross of the Celts of Northern Ireland.

The "Bridges" line is decorated with images of the Millennium Bridge, which is located in England, the crossings of Grog and Bort, located on the lands of Wales, the Scottish fortification, the Egyptian arch, which rises among the mountain landscapes of Northern Ireland.

The "Bushes" series is amazing. It included British coins, on the reverse side of which there are illustrations of typical plants found in the United Kingdom. These are flax growing in the north of Ireland, English oak, Welsh onion, Scottish thistle.

You can buy them both from the hands and at the cash desks of state institutions: at the post office or at the treasury. To date, prices for complete UK coin sets start at £23. If the kit includes rare samples, then they ask for amounts in the hundreds of GBP.

People's love

As for the attitude of ordinary citizens of the Kingdom to the metal pounds, it is rather negative. According to the majority, theythe weight is unreasonably large. Coins pull pockets and spoil the appearance of clothes. It is inconvenient to carry them in a wallet, so the British are trying their best to get rid of them.

The easiest, yet most extraordinary way to get British one pound coins is to exchange banknotes in any slot machine.

Pence

Pences of various designs are now in circulation in the UK. The state emblem appeared on them only nine years ago. Until 2008, their appearance had other features. Below you can see what a 1 penny coin looks like. Great Britain has a sufficient number of symbols, so the coins of this country are distinguished by their originality.

Most often, pennies are inflicted with elements that one way or another symbolize the United Kingdom. If you're lucky, you might come across an image of the Prince of Wales feathers.

The reverses are decorated with portraits of Elizabeth II. Coins differ in the metal from which they are cast. Modern realities dictate their own rules, so the cost of a penny is gradually reduced through the use of cheaper alloys.

Anniversary issues

As in Russia, the numismatics of the United Kingdom has its own limited series, the production of which was timed to coincide with one or another solemn event in the life of the country. There are four varieties in total.

Please note that the 1 pound coin (Great Britain) is not issued in limited editions. In everyday life, you canmeet only the 50p and £2 limits. The Mint mints one variety each year, sometimes two.

In addition to the usual commemorative designs, three more types are available in the UK. These are large denomination coins cast from precious metals and the so-called Mandy money. The latter are a special invention of the English royal throne. They are distributed as alms by representatives of the ruling family. In the store, MM are accepted according to the indicated face value, but collectors are ready to pay a fortune for them.

Colonial numismatics

For centuries, England has been known as an influential maritime mistress. These times have sunk into oblivion, but their legacy still serves as proof of the mighty past of the country's navy. Currently, more than ten denominations of the United Kingdom use the pound sterling. They also use the 1 penny coin (Great Britain). At the same time, the lands themselves are not part of the UK.

Such territories include Gibr altar, the Isle of Man and Jersey, Saint Helena, Asuncion, Guernsey and other entities. Many of them issue their own banknotes. In Gibr altar, local banknotes are officially used, but their pence (pennies) are English.

On the Isle of Man, national and British pounds are used. Anniversary episodes are released periodically.

Back to the past

The first monetary unit, which was cast from metal and used by residents of all territories of the United Kingdom, was a coin of 1 crown. Great Britain released it in 1526. She iswas made entirely of gold. Over time, the nominal weight was reduced. At the court of James I, its value was equal to five shillings. And after 1663, she was replaced by a guinea.