The United Kingdom £1 Coin

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
	2010	A depiction of the official badges of the capital cities of the United Kingdom, with the badge of Belfast being the principal focus. Designed by Stuart Devlin
	2010	A depiction of the official badges of the capital cities of the United Kingdom, with the badge of London being the principal focus. Designed by Stuart Devlin

Coin Edge Inscriptions