Queen Elizabeth II acceded to the throne in 1952 at the age of 25 and went on to become the longest-reigning monarch in British history. This Elizabethan era witnessed several significant changes in the United Kingdom, including societal shifts and technological advancements. Elizabeth II is the only British monarch to have had both a pre-decimal and decimal coinage.

Following decimalisation, the term ‘penny’ was retained as a 1p coin. The decimal coin featured a design of a portcullis until 2008, when it was replaced with design by Matt Dent featuring an aspect of the Royal Arms.

This coin is also available as part of The Making of Modern Britain Queen Elizabeth II Decimal Coin Bundle, which offers collectors the opportunity to own an example of each decimal denomination of Elizabeth II’s reign.

*Packaging Image is for example only