Background
The United Kingdom coinage is kept under constant review. By 1980 it had become apparent that with the general decline in purchasing power, the £1 unit of currency was more appropriate to a coin than a banknote. The note was in constant use on average lasting only nine months, whereas a coin can last as long as forty years or more and with the growth in the vending industry it was felt that a coin would be more useful.
After consultation with many groups including retailers and special interest groups, the Government announced on 31 July 1981 that a new £1 coin that was to be issued on 21 April 1983.
To make it easy to identify, the £1 coin is thicker than other coins while the 'yellow' colour allowed it to stand out from the cupro-nickel 'silver' coins already in circulation. The weight of the coin was decided largely on the grounds of cost and the need to allow for higher denomination coins in due course.
The reverse designs represent the United Kingdom and its four constituent parts - Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England. The first series of designs took floral emblems as its theme, while the second series was heraldic in approach
The £1 coin is legal tender for any amount.
| Coin Image |
Year of Issue |
Design/Designer Information |
 |
1983
1993
1998
2003 |
Royal Arms representing the United Kingdom designed by Eric Sewell |
 |
1984
1989 |
Thistle and royal diadem representing Scotland designed by Leslie Durbin |
 |
1985
1990 |
Leek and royal diadem representing Wales designed by Leslie Durbin |
 |
1986
1991 |
Flax Plant and royal diadem representing Northern Ireland designed by Leslie Durbin |
 |
1987
1992 |
Oak Tree and royal diadem representing England designed by Leslie Durbin |
 |
1988 |
Royal Shield representing the United Kingdom designed by Derek Gorringe |
 |
1994
1999 |
Lion Rampant representing Scotland designed by Norman Sillman |
 |
1995
2000 |
Dragon passant representing Wales designed by Norman Sillman |
 |
1996
2001 |
A Celtic Cross with a Pimpernel Flower in the centre surrounded by an ancient Torc representing Northern Ireland designed by Norman Sillman |
 |
1997
2002 |
Three Lions passant guardant representing England designed by Norman Sillman |
 |
2004 |
A representation of the Forth Railway Bridge inside a border of railway tracks designed by Edwina Ellis |
 |
2005 |
A representation of the Menai Bridge inside a border of railings and stanchions designed by Edwina Ellis |
 |
2006 |
A representation of the Egyptian Arch Railway Bridge inside a border of railway station canopy dags designed by Edwina Ellis |
 |
2007 |
A representation of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge with a border of struts, designed by Edwina Ellis |
Coin Edge Inscriptions
| Edge Inscription |
Translation |
Year |
| Decus et Tutamen |
'An ornament and a safeguard' from Virgils Aeneid |
1983, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2008 |
| Nemo Me Impune Lacessit |
'No one provokes me with impunity'. The Motto of the Order of the Thistle |
1984, 1989, 1994, 1999 |
| Pleidiol Wyf I'm Gwlad |
'True am I to my country' from the Welsh National Anthem |
1985, 1990, 1995, 2000 |
| An incuse decorative feature symbolising bridges and pathways |
|
2004,2005,2006,2007 |