 |
|
 |
|
|
The Emblems of Britain
As a way of preparing people for decimalisation the first of the new coins, the 5p and the 10p, were issued in 1968 to circulate alongside shillings and two-shilling pieces. The 50p followed in 1969, the first equilateral curve heptagonal coin, and the 1/2 p, 1p and 2p from 15 February 1971 – the official date for Decimal Day. Over ten years later the 20p piece was issued and a year later the £1 coin was struck to replace the banknote.
The first six decimal coins were created by Christopher Ironside, his designs drawing praise for the ‘lack of clutter’, a requirement that had been stressed in the creative brief. The 20p design by William Gardner and the £1 design by Eric Sewell continued the heraldic theme , bringing together elegant expressions of emblems of Britain.
|
|
£1 The Royal Arms with lion and unicorn supporters.
Reverse designer: Eric Sewell |
|
|
50p A seated figure of Britannia holding a sprig of olive and a trident with a lion at her side. Reverse designer: Christopher Ironside |
|
|
20p The Badge of England, the Tudor rose, in stylised form royally crowned.
Reverse designer: William Gardner |
|
|
10p Part of the Crest of England, a lion passant guardant royally crowned.
Reverse designer: Christopher Ironside |
|
|
5p The Badge of Scotland, a thistle royally crowned.
Reverse designer: Christopher Ironside |
|
|
2p The Badge of the Prince of Wales, comprising three ostrich feathers, cross pattée and fleur-de-lys.
Reverse designer: Christopher Ironside |
|
|
1p A portcullis with chains royally crowned, being an adaptation of the Badge of King Henry VII.
Reverse designer: Christopher Ironside |
|
|
|
 |
|