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15 February 1971 |
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20.3mm
3.56grms
1.52mm - bronze
1.65mm - copper-plated steel
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Bronze 97% copper, 2.5% zinc, 0.5% tin (until September 1992)
Copper-plated steel (since September 1992)
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Portrait of Her Majesty the Queen
1971-1984 Arnold Machin
1985-1997 Raphael Maklouf
1998 to date Ian Rank-Broadley
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Portcullis with chains crowned, an
adaptation of the Badge of Henry VII and now the
Badge of the Palace of Westminster
Christopher Ironside
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Plain |
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The United Kingdom 1p coin was one of three new coins introduced into general circulation on the 15 February 1971 when the United Kingdom adopted a new decimal currency system. The other two new coins were the 1/2p and 2p coins.
To avoid confusion between the old and new coinage all three coins had the word 'NEW' incorporated into the reverse design. This was later removed in 1982.
The first copper-plated steel 1p coins were struck in 1992. The reason for this change was the increase in the price of metals on the world markets. The coins have a mild steel core and are electroplated with copper - consequently they are magnetic.
As at the 31 December 2005 there were an estimated 10,576 million 1p coins in circulation.
The 1p coin is legal tender for amounts up to 20p.
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| Crown Copyright Royal Mint |
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