1p Coin Designs and Specifications
The United Kingdom 1p coin was one of three new coins introduced into general circulation on 15th 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.
The 1p coin is legal tender for amounts up to 20p.
| First Issued | 15th February 1971 |
| Diameter | 20.3mm |
| Weight | 3.56g |
| Thickness | Bronze: 1.52mm Copper-plated steel: 1.65mm |
| Composition | Bronze (97% copper, 2.5% zinc, 0.5% tin) - until September 1992 Copper-plated steel - since September 1992 |
| Obverse Designers | 1971-1984 - Arnold Machin 1985-1997 - Raphael Maklouf 1998-2015 - Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS 2015-2022 - Jody Clark 2022 to date - Martin Jennings |
| Reverse Designers | 1971-2008 - Christopher Ironside 2008-2022 - Matthew Dent 2022 to date - The Royal Mint |
| Edge | Plain |
