The English Pound coin has undergone significant changes over the years, with the introduction of new coins and the phasing out of old ones.
In 1997, the Royal Mint introduced the new £2 coin, which replaced the Bank of England's £2 note.
This change marked a significant shift in the way people thought about the value of money.
The new £2 coin featured a design that represented the UK's rich history and culture, making it a popular addition to many people's collections.
History and Replacement
The old British 1 pound coin was replaced by the new 12-sided version in 2017, marking the end of the round pound coin that had been in circulation for almost 40 years.
The round pound was replaced due to growing cases of counterfeiting, which put pressure on the Royal Mint to change the design. The new 12-sided coin is designed to be harder to replicate, making counterfeiting more difficult.
The old pound coins were first introduced in the 1980s, replacing the Bank of England's £1 note that had been in circulation for nearly 200 years.
The Round Coin
The Round Coin was introduced in the 1830s, replacing the earlier square-shaped coins.
The new design made it easier to handle and store coins, as they no longer had sharp edges.
This design change was a significant improvement, but it also led to issues with counterfeiting, as the new coins were easier to replicate.
The Round Coin was made of a combination of copper and nickel, giving it a distinctive appearance.
Its diameter was 38.1 mm, making it slightly larger than the square coins it replaced.
The new coin design was well-received by the public, and it became a standard feature of currency for many years.
When Were They Replaced?
The old pound coins were replaced in 2016, marking the end of the 'Last Round Pound Coin'. This significant change paved the way for the introduction of new 12-sided 1 pound coins in 2017.
The old pound coins were in circulation for almost 40 years before being replaced. They were regularly re-designed, featuring different designs and patterns.
The new 12-sided 1 pound coins were introduced in 2017, replacing the round pounds that were last minted at the end of 2015.
Why Were They Replaced?
The old pound coins were replaced due to growing cases of counterfeiting.
The Royal Mint was under pressure to change the design after the issue was reported across national news outlets.
The new 12-sided pound coin is designed to be harder to replicate, making counterfeiting more difficult.
It's made of two metals rather than one, which adds an extra layer of security.
The distinctive shape of the new coin also makes it easier to identify under inspection, thanks to a special marking.
Is Legal Tender?
Old 1 pound coins are no longer legal tender, a fact that's been true since 2015. This means you can't use them anywhere, whether it's a restaurant, cafe, or shop.
The old paper £20 and £50 notes also lost their status as legal tender in September 2022. They're no longer accepted as payment.
If you've been holding onto these old coins or notes, it's time to let them go. You can't use them to make purchases, and they're not worth much in terms of their monetary value.
Other Items Entered Circulation
In addition to the round pound coins, other pound coins entered circulation in the UK.
Some £1 coins from British Crown Dependencies, Gibraltar, and UK South Atlantic Overseas Territories were used, although they weren't legal tender in the UK.
These coins were often the same size and composition as their UK equivalent and bore the same portraits of the UK monarch.
The territories that used these coins included Gibraltar and the Isle of Man, which continued to use their round pound coins alongside the new UK pound coins.
The other territories, however, withdrew their round pounds without replacing them.
Counterfeiting and Authenticity
The English pound coin has been a staple of British currency for decades, but with its increased value, it's also become a target for counterfeiters. Counterfeiting is a serious issue, with some fake coins being made with surprisingly high-quality materials.
In 2017, the Royal Mint introduced a new 12-sided pound coin to combat counterfeiting, which has significantly reduced the number of fake coins in circulation.
The new coin's bi-metallic design and high-security features make it much harder to replicate, giving collectors and everyday users peace of mind when handling the currency.
The Royal Mint has also implemented strict security measures to prevent counterfeiting, including advanced manufacturing processes and rigorous quality control.
Value and Scarcity
The value of an old English pound coin can be surprisingly high, especially if it's rare or scarce. A coin with an uncommon design that dated back to when its version of the coin was first released could be worth a pretty penny, up to £20!
The scarcity of a coin is a big factor in determining its value. The Change Checker £1 Scarcity Index takes into account both the actual numbers of coins in circulation and real collector demand, measured by swap data. Coins with a higher Scarcity Index Score are likely to be more valuable, with the Edinburgh City £1 coin, for example, already achieving prices of between £10.00 and £15.00 on eBay.
As coins become rarer, their value can quickly increase. With an estimated 600,000 – 800,000 Edinburgh City £1 coins still in circulation, it's likely that a good quality example could soon be fetching between £25.00 and £50.00.
Do Banks Take?
Do banks take old pound coins? Banks are not obliged to accept old versions of coins or notes, but some major banks like Nationwide, Santander, Halifax, Lloyds, and NatWest will still allow customers to deposit the most recent form of old currency into their account.
The Post Office is another option, but only if your bank is signed up to receive cash deposits through the Post Office. This is a convenient way to deposit old currency, but it's essential to check with your bank first.
You can't exchange a round pound directly for a new coin, but you can deposit it into your UK bank account. There have been instances where deposits of old currencies into a bank account haven't worked, so it's best to speak with someone at the bank for clarification.
The Bank of England only accepts old paper notes, not old coins, regardless of the method of deposit.
Value Assessment
The value of a pound coin can vary greatly depending on its age, design, and rarity. The rarer and older the coin, the more valuable it is likely to be.
If you're not sure how old your coin is, check the design on one of the sides - it's usually printed there. There have been 24 different designs released since the first round, old pound coin was circulated.
The most common design you'll find in England is the Royal Arms design, but there are other designs that are rarer and could be worth more. A coin with an uncommon design that dated back to when its version of the coin was first released could be worth a pretty penny.
The Edinburgh City £1 coin is the UK's scarcest £1 coin design, with a Scarcity Index Score that makes it highly valuable. In fact, it's already achieving prices of between £10.00 and £15.00 on eBay.
The value of a coin can also be affected by its scarcity. The Kew Gardens 50p coin, for example, has a very small mintage and is highly sought after by collectors, with prices reaching up to £100.
Here's a rough guide to the value of some £1 coins based on their scarcity:
- Edinburgh City £1: £10.00 - £15.00
- Kew Gardens 50p: £100
- Other £1 coins: £3 - £20
The value of your coin can increase over time, especially if it's rare and in good condition. So, it's worth checking your coins and seeing if you have any rare or valuable ones.
To Summarize
There are still hundreds of millions of old pound coins unaccounted for, which can be a great opportunity to have a rare and valuable coin.
The rarity and age of your coin play a significant role in determining its value, and you can easily check how old your coin is by looking at the design on one of its sides.
Old pound coins have been in circulation for a relatively short period, so it's possible that their value may change in the future.
If you're wondering what to do with your old pound coins, you have several options, including keeping them as a souvenir, depositing them at a bank, or getting them valued and sold to a dealer or online.
You can deposit old pound coins into your UK bank account at some major banks, including Nationwide, Santander, Halifax, Lloyds, and NatWest, as well as at the Post Office.
However, the Bank of England will only accept old paper notes, not old coins, regardless of whether you're posting them or trying to deposit them directly.
Here are your options for old pound coins:
- Keep them as a souvenir
- Deposit them at a bank
- Get them valued and sell them to a dealer or on a website such as eBay
- Give them to charity
The value of your old pound coin can range from £3 to £20, depending on its rarity and age, and some coins with uncommon designs dated back to when they were first released could be worth a pretty penny.
Sources
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