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One pound
United Kingdom
Value£1
Mass8.75 g
Diameter23.03–23.43 mm
Thickness2.8 mm
EdgeAlternately milled and plain
CompositionOuter ring:
Nickel-brass
(76% Cu, 20% Zn, and 4% Ni)
Inner planchet:
Nickel-plated alloy
Years of minting2016–Present
Obverse
DesignQueen Elizabeth II
DesignerJody Clark
Design date2016
Design discontinued2022
Reverse
DesignRose, leek, thistle, and shamrock encircled by a coronet
DesignerDavid Pearce
Design date2016
Design discontinued2022

The British one pound (£1) coin is a denomination of sterling coinage. Its obverse has featured the profile of Charles III since 2024[1] and bears the Latin engraving CHARLES III D G REX (Dei Gratia Rex) F D (Fidei defensor), which means 'Charles III, by the grace of God, King, Defender of the Faith'.

The original, round £1 coin was introduced in 1983. It replaced the Bank of England £1 note, which ceased to be issued at the end of 1984 and was removed from circulation on 11 March 1988, though still redeemable at the bank's offices, like all English banknotes. One-pound notes continue to be issued in Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man, and by the Royal Bank of Scotland, but the pound coin is much more widely used. A new, dodecagonal (12-sided) design of coin was introduced on 28 March 2017[2] and both new and old versions of the one pound coin circulated together until the older design was withdrawn from circulation on 15 October 2017. After that date, the older coin could only be redeemed at banks,[3] although some retailers announced they would continue to accept it for a limited time,[4] and it remained in use in the Isle of Man.[5]

The main purpose of redesigning the coin was to combat counterfeiting. As of March 2014 there were an estimated 1,553 million of the original nickel-brass coins in circulation,[6] of which the Royal Mint estimated in 2014 that just over 3% were counterfeit.[7][8] The new coin, in contrast, is bimetallic like the current £2 coin, and features an undisclosed hidden security feature called "iSIS" (Integrated Secure Identification Systems).[9][10]

The current 12-sided pound coins are legal tender to any amount when offered in repayment of a debt; however, the coin's legal tender status is not normally relevant for everyday transactions.

The sovereign coin also has a nominal value of one pound, and remains legal tender for this amount, although the value of the gold it contains is now substantially greater than its nominal value, and so it is no longer in day-to-day circulation as currency.

Design

[edit]

To date, four different portraits of Elizabeth II have appeared on the obverse. For the first three of these, the inscription was ELIZABETH II D.G.REG.F.D. 2013,[11] where 2013 is replaced by the year of minting. The fourth design, unveiled in March 2015,[12] expanded the inscription slightly to ELIZABETH II DEI.GRA.REG.FID.DEF. 2015. The 12-sided design, introduced in March 2017, reverted to 2017 ELIZABETH II D.G.REG.F.D.

In summary:

In August 2005 the Royal Mint launched a competition to find new reverse designs for all circulating coins apart from the £2 coin.[16] The winner, announced in April 2008, was Matthew Dent, whose designs were gradually introduced into the circulating British coinage from mid-2008.[17] The designs for the 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p and 50p coins depict sections of the Royal Shield that form the whole shield when placed together. The shield in its entirety was featured on the £1 coin. The coin's obverse remained unchanged.

The design of the reverse of the original coin was changed each year from 1983 to 2008 to show, in turn, an emblem representing the UK, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and England, together with an appropriate edge inscription. This edge inscription could just as often be "upside-down" (when obverse is facing upward).[18] From 2008, national-based designs were still minted, but alongside the new standard version and no longer in strict rotation. The inscription ONE POUND appeared on all reverse designs.

In common with non-commemorative £2 coins, the round £1 coin (except 2004–07 and the 2010–11 "capital cities" designs) had a mint mark: a small crosslet found on the milled edge that represents Llantrisant in South Wales, where the Royal Mint has been based since 1968.[19]

The reverse of the new 12-sided, bimetallic pound coin, introduced on 28 March 2017,[2] was chosen by a public design competition.[20] The competition to design the reverse of this coin was opened in September 2014.[21] It was won in March 2015 by 15-year-old David Pearce from Walsall, and unveiled by Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne during his Budget announcement. The design features a rose, leek, thistle and shamrock bound by a crown.[12]

In October 2023 the King Charles III one-pound coin was presented; the coin features bees.[22][23]

Mintage figures

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Round coin

[edit]

Mintage figures below represent the number of coins of each date released for circulation. Mint sets have been produced since 1982; where mintages on or after that date indicate 'none', there are examples contained within those sets.

Images: Royal Mint
Year Name Design Nation represented Edge inscription Translation Mintage[24]
1983 Royal Arms Ornamental royal arms United Kingdom DECUS ET TUTAMEN An ornament and a safeguard 443,053,510
1984 Thistle Thistle and royal diadem Scotland NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT No one attacks me with impunity 146,256,501
1985 Leek Leek and royal diadem Wales PLEIDIOL WYF I'M GWLAD True am I to my country 228,430,749
1986 Flax Plant Flax plant and royal diadem Northern Ireland DECUS ET TUTAMEN An ornament and a safeguard 10,409,501
1987 Oak Tree Oak tree and royal diadem England DECUS ET TUTAMEN An ornament and a safeguard 39,298,502
1988 Shield of the Royal Arms Crown over the royal arms United Kingdom DECUS ET TUTAMEN An ornament and a safeguard 7,118,825
1989 Thistle Thistle and royal diadem Scotland NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT No one attacks me with impunity 70,580,501
1990 Leek Leek and royal diadem Wales PLEIDIOL WYF I'M GWLAD True am I to my country 97,269,302
1991 Flax Plant Flax plant and royal diadem Northern Ireland DECUS ET TUTAMEN An ornament and a safeguard 38,443,575
1992 Oak Tree Oak tree and royal diadem England DECUS ET TUTAMEN An ornament and a safeguard 36,320,487
1993 Royal Arms Ornamental royal arms United Kingdom DECUS ET TUTAMEN An ornament and a safeguard 114,744,500
1994 Lion Rampant Lion rampant within a double tressure flory counter-flory Scotland NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT No one attacks me with impunity 29,752,525
1995 Dragon Dragon passant Wales PLEIDIOL WYF I'M GWLAD True am I to my country 34,503,501
1996 Celtic Cross and Torc Celtic cross, Broighter collar and pimpernel Northern Ireland DECUS ET TUTAMEN An ornament and a safeguard 89,886,000
1997 Three Lions Three lions passant guardant England DECUS ET TUTAMEN An ornament and a safeguard 57,117,450
1998 Royal Arms Ornamental royal arms United Kingdom DECUS ET TUTAMEN An ornament and a safeguard not circulated
1999 Lion Rampant Lion rampant within a double tressure flory counter-flory Scotland NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT No one attacks me with impunity not circulated
2000 Dragon Dragon passant Wales PLEIDIOL WYF I'M GWLAD True am I to my country 109,496,500
2001 Celtic Cross and Torc Celtic cross, Broighter collar and pimpernel Northern Ireland DECUS ET TUTAMEN An ornament and a safeguard 63,968,065
2002 Three Lions Three lions passant guardant England DECUS ET TUTAMEN An ornament and a safeguard 77,818,000
2003 Royal Arms Ornamental royal arms United Kingdom DECUS ET TUTAMEN An ornament and a safeguard 61,596,500
2004 Forth Railway Bridge Forth Railway Bridge surrounded by railway tracks Scotland An incuse decorative feature symbolising bridges and pathways — 39,162,000
2005 Menai Straits Bridge Menai Suspension Bridge surrounded by railing and stanchions Wales 99,429,500
2006 Egyptian Arch Railway Bridge Egyptian Arch Railway Bridge surrounded by railway station canopy dags Northern Ireland 38,938,000
2007 Millennium Bridge Gateshead Millennium Bridge surrounded by struts England 26,180,160
2008 Royal Arms Ornamental royal arms United Kingdom DECUS ET TUTAMEN An ornament and a safeguard 3,910,000
2008 Shield of the Royal Arms The shield from the Royal Coat of Arms United Kingdom DECUS ET TUTAMEN An ornament and a safeguard 43,827,300
2009 Shield of the Royal Arms The shield from the Royal Coat of Arms United Kingdom DECUS ET TUTAMEN An ornament and a safeguard 27,625,600
2010 Shield of the Royal Arms The shield from the Royal Coat of Arms United Kingdom DECUS ET TUTAMEN An ornament and a safeguard 57,120,000
2010 London Coat of arms of the City of London England DOMINE DIRIGE NOS Lord, guide us 2,635,000
2010 Belfast Coat of arms of Belfast Northern Ireland PRO TANTO QUID RETRIBUAMUS For so much, what shall we give in return? 6,205,000
2011 Shield of the Royal Arms The shield from the Royal Coat of Arms United Kingdom DECUS ET TUTAMEN An ornament and a safeguard 25,415,000
2011 Cardiff Coat of arms of Cardiff Wales Y DDRAIG GOCH DDYRY CYCHWYN The red dragon will give the lead 1,615,000
2011 Edinburgh Coat of arms of Edinburgh Scotland NISI DOMINUS FRUSTRA In vain without the Lord 935,000
2012 Shield of the Royal Arms The shield from the Royal Coat of Arms United Kingdom DECUS ET TUTAMEN An ornament and a safeguard 35,700,030
2013 Shield of the Royal Arms The shield from the Royal Coat of Arms United Kingdom DECUS ET TUTAMEN An ornament and a safeguard 13,090,500
2013 Rose and Oak Oak and Tudor rose England DECUS ET TUTAMEN An ornament and a safeguard 5,270,000
2013 Leek and Daffodil Leek and daffodil Wales PLEIDIOL WYF I'M GWLAD True am I to my country 5,270,000
2014 Flax and Shamrock Shamrock and flax plant[25] Northern Ireland DECUS ET TUTAMEN An ornament and a safeguard 5,780,000
2014 Thistle and Bluebell Thistle and bluebell[25] Scotland NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT No one attacks me with impunity 5,185,000
2014 Shield of the Royal Arms The shield from the Royal Coat of Arms United Kingdom DECUS ET TUTAMEN An ornament and a safeguard 79,305,200
2015 Shield of the Royal Arms The shield from the Royal Coat of Arms (fourth portrait)[26][27] United Kingdom DECUS ET TUTAMEN An ornament and a safeguard 29,580,000
2015 Shield of the Royal Arms The shield from the Royal Coat of Arms (fifth portrait) United Kingdom DECUS ET TUTAMEN An ornament and a safeguard 75,000 (only in BU sets)
2015 Royal Arms The Royal Coat of Arms (fifth portrait)[26][27] United Kingdom DECUS ET TUTAMEN An ornament and a safeguard 129,616,985[27]
2016 Shield of the Royal Arms The shield from the Royal Coat of Arms (fifth portrait)[28][29] United Kingdom DECUS ET TUTAMEN An ornament and a safeguard 30,000 (only in BU sets)
2016 Last Round Pound Four heraldic beasts[30] United Kingdom DECUS ET TUTAMEN An ornament and a safeguard Not circulated

All years except 1998 and 1999 have been issued into circulation, although the number issued has varied enormously – 1983, 1984 and 1985 in particular had large mintages to facilitate the changeover from paper notes, while some years such as 1988 are only rarely seen (although 1988 is more noticeable as it has a unique reverse). Production since 1997 has been reduced as a result of the introduction of the circulating two pound coin.

The final round coins minted for 2016 and the 2015 Shield of the Royal Arms fifth portrait did not enter circulation, as they were only available through commemorative sets.[31] These were the shield from the Royal Coat of Arms by Matthew Dent, and a design by Gregory Cameron, Bishop of St Asaph, of four heraldic beasts.[30][32]

12-sided coin

[edit]
Year Design Nation represented Mintage[24]
2016 Nations of the Crown United Kingdom 300,000,000 (initial launch in March 2017)[33]
2017 Nations of the Crown United Kingdom 749,616,200[34]
2018 Nations of the Crown United Kingdom 130,560,000[35]
2019 Nations of the Crown United Kingdom 138,635,000
2020 Nations of the Crown United Kingdom 55,840,169
2021 Nations of the Crown United Kingdom 21,760,000
2022 Nations of the Crown United Kingdom 7,735,000
2023 Bees United Kingdom 10,030,000
2025 Bees United Kingdom 170,000 (initial launch)[36]

Counterfeiting

[edit]

During later years of the round pound's use, Royal Mint surveys estimated the proportion of counterfeit £1 coins in circulation. This was estimated at 3.04% in 2013, a rise from 2.74%.[7][8] The figure previously announced in 2012 was 2.86%, following the prolonged rise from 0.92% in 2002–2003 to 0.98% in 2004, 1.26% in 2005, 1.69% in 2006, 2.06% in 2007, 2.58% in 2008, 2.65% in 2009, 3.07% in 2010 and 3.09% in 2011.[37][38] Figures were generally reported in the following year; in 2008 (as reported in 2009), the highest levels of counterfeits were in Northern Ireland (3.6%) and South East England and London (2.97%), with the lowest being in North West England.[39][40][41] Coin testing companies estimated in 2009 that the actual figure was about twice the Mint's estimate, suggesting that the Mint was underplaying the figures so as not to undermine confidence in the coin.[42] It is illegal to pass on counterfeit currency knowingly; the official advice is to hand it in, with details of where received, to the police, who will retain it and investigate.[43][44] One article suggested that "given that fake coins are worthless, you will almost certainly be better off not even looking".[42] The recipient also has recourse against the supplier in such cases.

One pound coin with hard to achieve fine detail.

Counterfeits are put into circulation by dishonest people, then circulated inadvertently by others who are unaware; in many cases banks do not check, and circulate counterfeits. In 2011 the BBC television programme Fake Britain withdrew 1,000 £1 coins from each of five major banks and found that each batch contained between 32 and 38 counterfeits; the Mint estimated that about 31 per 1,000 £1 coins were counterfeit.[43] Some of the counterfeits were found by automated machinery, others could be detected only by expert visual inspection.

In July 2010, following speculation that the Royal Mint would have to consider replacing £1 coins with a new design because of the fakes, bookmakers Paddy Power offered odds of 6/4 (bet £4 to win £6, plus the £4 stake back; decimal odds of 2.5), that the £1 coin would be removed from circulation.[40][45]

Real and fake round pound, showing poor-quality edge inscription and milling, and colour difference.

Some counterfeits were of poor quality, with obviously visible differences (less sharply defined, lacking intricate details, edge milling and markings visibly wrong). Many better counterfeits can be detected by comparing the orientation of the obverse and reverse—they should match in genuine modern UK coins, but very often did not in counterfeit round £1.[43][44] The design on the reverse must be correct for the stamped year (e.g., a 1996 coin should have a Celtic cross).[46] It was difficult to manufacture round pounds with properly-produced edges; the milling (grooves) was often incomplete or poor and the inscription (often "DECUS ET TUTAMEN") sometimes poorly produced or in the wrong typeface.[43] A shiny coin with less wear than its date suggests is also suspect, although it may be a genuine coin that has rarely been used.[44]

Counterfeit coins are made by different processes including casting, stamping, electrotyping, and copying with a pantograph or spark erosion.[47] In a 2009 survey, 99% of fake £1 coins found in cash centres were made of a nickel-brass, of which three fifths contained some lead and a fifth were of a very similar alloy to that used by the Royal Mint. The remaining 1% were made of simple copper-zinc brass, or lead or tin, or both.[48] Those made of lead or tin may have a gold-coloured coating; counterfeits made of acrylic plastic containing metal powder to increase weight were occasionally found.[47]

The final 'round pounds' were minted in December 2015; the replacement, a new 12-sided design, was introduced in 2017,[49] the earliest dated as 2016. The coin has a 12-edged shape, similar to the pre-decimal brass threepence coin; it has roughly the same size as the previous £1 coin, and is bi-metallic like most £2 coins. The new design is intended to make counterfeiting more difficult, and also has an undisclosed hidden security feature called "iSIS" (Integrated Secure Identification Systems),[20][50] thought to be a code embedded in the top layer of metal on the obverse of the coin, visible only under a specific wavelength of ultraviolet light.[51]

Current two-pound coins, being bi-metallic (excluding some rarely tendered commemorative issues), remain harder to counterfeit than the round pound was; such counterfeits are often easily seen to have wrong colours.

Other pound coins that entered circulation

[edit]

While the round pound was operational, others that entered circulation, although not legal tender in the UK, were some £1 coins of British Crown Dependencies, Gibraltar and UK South Atlantic Overseas Territories. Most coins of these territories, in all denominations, were of the same size and composition as a UK equivalent and most bore the same portraits of the UK monarch.[52][53] After the UK replaced its round pound coins, these territories did not rush to do so; Gibraltar and the Isle of Man continued to use their round pound coins as well as the new UK pound coins and the other territories withdrew their round pounds without replacing them.

Further reading

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See also

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References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

One pound coin

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The British one pound (£1) coin is a circulating unit of sterling currency in the and certain British territories, valued at one and featuring various designs symbolizing national identity since its introduction on 21 April 1983 as a replacement for the £1 banknote, which ceased issuance at the end of 1984. Initially issued as a round, yellow nickel-brass coin with a of 22.5 mm and weight of 9.5 g, it bore an obverse portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and reverse designs representing the UK's four constituent countries through floral emblems and heraldic symbols, crafted by designers such as Eric Sewell and Norman Sillman. Over its 34-year circulation, approximately 3.1 billion round £1 coins were minted, but escalating counterfeiting—reaching an estimated 3% of circulation by 2016—prompted its demonetization on 15 October 2017. In March 2017, the Royal Mint introduced a redesigned 12-sided bimetallic £1 coin, measuring 23.43 mm in diameter and weighing 8.75 g, with an outer ring of nickel-brass and an inner disc of nickel-plated alloy, incorporating advanced security features like technology, micro-lettering, and a hidden "high security" edge to make it the world's most secure circulating coin at the time. The new coin's obverse continued to feature Queen Elizabeth II's portrait by Jody Clark from 2015 to 2022, while the reverse, designed by David Pearce until 2022, displayed a unified motif of the UK's nations with their respective emblems ( for , leek for , thistle for , and shamrock for ) encircling the denomination. Following the accession of King Charles III in 2022, new £1 coins entered circulation from 2023 bearing his on the obverse, designed by Martin Jennings, alongside a series of eight updated reverse designs celebrating British , , and heritage—such as the for the £1, symbolizing and —as part of the Royal Mint's "New Coins of the Nation" initiative unveiled in October 2023. The £1 coin remains alongside other denominations, with ongoing production by the Royal Mint to meet demand; notable commemorative variants, like the 2023 40th anniversary design by artist Michael Armitage evoking , highlight its evolving role in numismatic artistry, though these do not replace the standard circulating issues. By 2025, releases such as the 2025-dated £1—with a circulating mintage of over 9 million—have drawn collector interest, underscoring the coin's blend of everyday utility and cultural significance in modern Britain.

History and Introduction

Origins and Launch

In the aftermath of in 1971, which introduced the , the £1 became the primary high-denomination note in everyday circulation. However, it proved highly vulnerable to wear and tear, lasting only about on average before needing replacement due to soiling and damage, resulting in substantial production costs for the . Additionally, concerns over potential counterfeiting of the paper note, exacerbated by the economic instability of the —including rates peaking at over 24% in 1975—highlighted the need for a more durable alternative to handle the increased transactional volume of a high-value unit. The post- era thus underscored the necessity for a robust to replace the fragile , ensuring longevity in circulation estimated at up to 40 years for compared to the note's short lifespan. The decision to introduce a £1 coin was formally announced by on 27 January 1981 during a parliamentary on coinage, as part of broader updates to the system under the Coinage Act 1971. The coin was first struck in 1983 at the Royal Mint's new facility in , marking the first use of the mint's cross crosslet symbol on the edge. It entered general circulation on 21 April 1983, immediately gaining status throughout the , with the £1 ceasing production at the end of 1984. The initial design featured an obverse portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by , the second such effigy used on British coins, and a reverse by engraver Eric Sewell depicting the Royal Arms of the —a crowned and symbolizing and , respectively, within a shield topped by a . This heraldic motif was chosen to represent national unity and the coin's status as a flagship denomination. The 1983 £1 coin achieved rapid adoption, with 443,053,510 pieces minted in its debut year to meet anticipated demand. Its nickel-brass composition, golden hue, and specifications were specifically engineered for compatibility with vending machines and automated systems, facilitating quick integration into retail and infrastructure. By the mid-1980s, the coin had effectively supplanted the in most transactions, reflecting the success of the transition amid ongoing economic recovery from the inflationary pressures of the previous decade.

Design Evolution

The obverse of the £1 coin initially featured Arnold Machin's of Queen from its launch in 1983 until 1984. In 1985, the design switched to Raphael Maklouf's portrait of the Queen, which was used until 1997 to provide a more mature depiction reflecting her age at the time. This was followed in 1998 by Ian Rank-Broadley's , emphasizing a realistic and individualized style, and it remained in use until 2014. From 2015 to 2022, Jody Clark's portrait appeared, marking the fifth and final of on the coin. Following her death in 2022, the obverse transitioned to Martin Jennings' of King Charles III, with the first circulating £1 coins bearing this design entering circulation in 2023. The reverse designs of the round £1 coin evolved through annual themes from 1983 to 2016, each created by different artists to highlight elements of British heritage. The initial 1983 design depicted the Royal Arms by Eric Sewell, symbolizing the unity of the . Subsequent years introduced series such as the floral emblems of the UK nations from 1984 to 1987, designed by Leslie Durbin, including the for in 1984 and the for in 1985. The heraldic series from 1994 to 1997, by Norman Sillman, featured beasts from the Royal Arms, such as the rampant for in 1994 and the for in 1995. Other notable designs included the bridges series from 2004 to 2007 by Edwina Ellis, showcasing iconic structures like the Forth Railway Bridge in 2004, and the capital cities series in 2010 and 2011 by Stuart Devlin, representing regional identities with badges for in 2010 and in 2011. The 2016 final round coin design by Gregory Cameron portrayed the four heraldic beasts of the —lion, , , and —encircling the Royal Arms shield. These changes in reverse design were part of an intentional annual rotation to celebrate and reflect diverse aspects of culture, history, and significant events, fostering public engagement with the coinage. The practice began with the coin's introduction to differentiate it from the replaced £1 note and continued to keep the circulating currency dynamic. In March 2016, the Royal Mint announced a major redesign to a 12-sided shape, which was implemented in 2017 while maintaining the thematic approach for reverses thereafter.

Physical Characteristics

Round £1 Coin Specifications

The round £1 coin, in circulation from 1983 to 2017, featured a of 22.5 mm, a thickness of 3.15 mm, and a weight of 9.5 g. These dimensions were selected to distinguish it from lower denomination coins while ensuring compatibility with existing coin-handling mechanisms. The coin was composed of a single nickel-brass alloy, consisting of 70% copper, 24.5% zinc, and 5.5% nickel, which imparted a distinctive yellow color that set it apart from the silver-toned cupro-nickel coins in circulation. This uniform composition and coloration facilitated easy visual identification and automated sorting in vending machines and other equipment, reflecting the rapid growth of the vending industry at the time of its introduction. Contrary to occasional misconceptions, the round £1 was not bimetallic but a homogeneous single-metal coin, a simplicity that later contributed to its high counterfeiting rates. Many round £1 coins, particularly the standard designs, had a milled edge inscribed with the Latin "DECUS ET TUTAMEN" (meaning "an ornament and a safeguard"), drawn from the reverse of the Royal Arms and intended as an early security feature against clipping and counterfeiting, while regional variants featured different inscriptions.

12-Sided £1 Coin Specifications

The 12-sided £1 coin, introduced in , features a dodecagonal with rounded corners to enhance while maintaining compatibility with existing coin-handling mechanisms. Its dimensions are 23.43 mm across the corners (maximum ) and 23.03 mm across the flats (minimum ), with a thickness of 2.8 mm and a weight of 8.75 g, making it lighter and slightly thinner than the preceding round £1 coin, which measured 22.5 mm in , 3.15 mm thick, and weighed 9.5 g.
SpecificationDetails
Shape12-sided with alternating plain and reeded edges
Diameter (across corners)23.43 mm
Diameter (across flats)23.03 mm
Thickness2.8 mm
Weight8.75 g
CompositionBi-metallic: outer ring of nickel-brass (70% , 24.5% , 5.5% ); inner disc of nickel-plated brass (76% , 20% , 4% )
The coin's bi-metallic construction provides a bicolour appearance, with the gold-coloured outer ring contrasting the silver-coloured inner core, incorporating a latent security feature in the raised rim that displays a £ symbol changing to the numeral 1 when tilted under . The edge consists of six reeded sections alternating with six plain sections to aid tactile identification for the visually impaired. The obverse side displays the reigning monarch's portrait, updated from Jody Clark's effigy of Queen Elizabeth II (2017–2022) to Martin Jennings' design of King Charles III from 2023 onward, accompanied by the monarch's name, title, and the year of issue. The initial reverse (2017–2022), designed by David Pearce, centred the £1 symbol encircled by representative emblems of the United Kingdom's nations: England's rose, ' leek, Scotland's thistle, and Northern Ireland's shamrock, symbolizing unity. From 2023, reverses feature a series of new designs celebrating British flora, fauna, and heritage—such as the bee—while maintaining the same physical specifications. These specifications contribute to improved , with the reduced weight and compact profile facilitating easier carrying in pockets, while the irregular ensures it can pass through slots designed for the round predecessor due to the minimum closely matching the old coin's size.

Production and Circulation

Mintage Figures

The round £1 coin was produced by the Royal Mint in quantities totaling approximately 2.2 billion units from its introduction in through 2016. Production volumes varied significantly year to year, influenced by economic demand for circulating and preparations for changes. Early years saw high output to replace £1 notes, with the 1983 debut mintage reaching 443 million coins, while later periods reflected shifting usage patterns. Notable low-mintage examples among the round coins include the 1986 Flax Plant design at 10.4 million units and the Royal Shield at 7.1 million, both contributing to their scarcity and appeal to collectors. In the and , regional commemorative issues achieved even lower figures, such as the 2008 Royal Arms at 3.9 million and the 2011 at 935,000, enhancing their numismatic value due to limited availability. Overall trends showed peaks in the mid-1980s and a surge in 2016 at 649 million to support the transition to the new format, followed by stabilization. The 12-sided £1 coin, launched in 2017, began with a substantial mintage of 749.6 million units to ensure widespread adoption and replace the round version. Subsequent production declined amid reduced cash usage and digital payment growth, with the 2022 Nations of the design at a low of 7.7 million and the 2023 Bees (Flora and Fauna) at 10 million. By 2025, over 1.1 billion 12-sided coins had entered circulation, including more than 9 million of the 2025-dated Bees design featuring King Charles III, where initial releases of 170,000 were supplemented by additional millions to meet demand. These lower volumes in recent years have heightened collector interest in varieties with limited runs, while overall figures underscore adapting to economic and technological shifts in payment habits.
YearDesign ExampleCirculating MintageNotes
1983Royal Arms443,053,510Highest early production
1986Flax Plant10,409,501Low-mintage rarity
2011935,000Lowest round regional issue
2017Nations of the Crown749,616,200Peak for 12-sided introduction
2022Nations of the Crown7,735,000Recent low, collector favorite
2023Bees10,030,000Flora and Fauna series
2025Bees (Charles III)>9,000,000Initial low release expanded

Withdrawal and Demonetisation

The withdrawal and demonetisation of the round £1 coin was announced as part of a broader transition to the new 12-sided design, with Chancellor launching a targeted awareness campaign for retailers and operators in 2016 to prepare for the changeover. This followed earlier confirmations of the new coin's introduction, ensuring a phased rollout to minimize economic impact. The round coin remained alongside the new version during a period of , which began when the 12-sided £1 entered general circulation on 28 March 2017. The round £1 coin ceased to be at midnight on 15 October 2017, after which it could no longer be used for transactions in shops or other outlets. However, holders could continue exchanging them at banks and the by depositing into accounts or swapping for current currency, with many institutions facilitating this process into 2018 and beyond for account holders. The Royal Mint established a dedicated exchange service for non-account holders, accepting round £1 coins for full face value with no fixed end date, though it encouraged prompt returns; this service remains available as of 2025. To support the process, the UK government ran the "Goodbye round pound" public awareness campaign in the lead-up to the deadline, urging people to spend, deposit, or exchange their old coins through advertisements, media outreach, and partnerships with retailers. Approximately 1.2 billion round £1 were returned or withdrawn from circulation by late 2017, out of an estimated 1.7 billion in use, with the remainder gradually processed in subsequent years. The Royal Mint recycled the returned coins environmentally, melting them down and repurposing the nickel-brass alloy for new products and industrial uses, preventing and supporting sustainable practices. The transition experienced minimal disruption to everyday thanks to the six-month overlap period, which allowed ample time for the new coin to build familiarity. Vending machine and parking meter operators faced the main logistical challenge, requiring upgrades to accept the 12-sided design at an industry-wide cost estimated at around £32 million, though this was offset by long-term savings from reduced counterfeiting losses.

Security and Counterfeiting

Counterfeiting Prevalence

The round £1 coin faced significant counterfeiting challenges, with the Royal Mint estimating in 2014 that approximately 3% of all £1 coins in circulation were fakes, equating to an estimated 45 million counterfeit coins worth £45 million. The rate remained high, with surveys indicating 3.03% in May 2014, a slight decline to 2.55% in May 2015, and 2.3% in November 2016 per the Royal Mint, though the National Audit Office later estimated around one in every 30 coins (roughly 3.3%). Earlier surveys by the Royal Mint and Bank of England, such as the 2015 assessment, recorded a counterfeit rate of 2.55%, a slight decline from 3.03% in 2014, though rates varied regionally with hotspots like London experiencing up to 6% in affected areas. Counterfeiters commonly employed low-cost methods like casting fakes from lead or tin alloys and cheaper metals to imitate the coin's nickel-brass appearance and weight. These were identified through ongoing surveys by the Royal Mint and , as well as reports from cash-handling industries, leading to the annual removal of around 2 million fake coins from circulation in the years leading up to the redesign. The economic toll was substantial, with businesses and vending machine operators incurring direct losses from accepting fakes in transactions, compounded by the broader counterfeit industry estimated to generate around £44 million for perpetrators as of 2009. This not only eroded trust in cash handling but also prompted heightened vigilance in high-traffic areas like , where counterfeits circulated more densely. The launch of the 12-sided £1 coin in dramatically curbed this issue through its redesigned features, with subsequent surveys since 2018 finding very low counterfeiting rates.

Anti-Counterfeiting Features

The original round £1 coin, introduced in , relied on basic security measures such as its nickel-brass composition and simple milled edge, which proved insufficient against sophisticated forgers due to the ease of replicating its single-metal structure and uniform round shape. To address these vulnerabilities, the 2017 redesign introduced a 12-sided shape that alternates between curved and straight edges, enabling reliable detection by vending machines and tactile identification by users, while the bi-metallic construction—combining a gold-coloured nickel-brass outer ring with a silver-coloured nickel-plated inner segment—creates a distinctive bi-colour effect that is challenging to mimic accurately. Micro-lettering inscribed along the inner rims further enhances , with "ONE POUND" repeated on the obverse and the production year on the reverse, visible only under and difficult for counterfeiters to engrave precisely. Additional protective elements include a on the obverse that shifts from a "£" symbol to the numeral "1" when tilted, functioning like a hologram for visual verification, and milled grooves on alternating sides of the dodecagonal edges to prevent smooth-edged fakes. Mint's patented High Feature (HSF), integrated into the coin's , incorporates a covert that emits a detectable signal under specific illumination, such as UV light, allowing machine-readable in sorters and handheld devices without compromising the coin's appearance. These innovations have proven highly effective, with the 2017 redesign significantly curbing counterfeiting incidents compared to the round coin's era. The security features remain consistent in the 2023 introduction of King Charles III £1 coins, which incorporate enhanced engraving details in the portrait while retaining the bi-metallic structure, latent image, micro-lettering, and HSF for ongoing protection.

Variants and Legacy

Other Circulating Pound Coins

Prior to in 1971, the served as the primary circulating equivalent to the £1 denomination in Britain. Introduced in 1817 under King George III, the was a 22-carat valued at one (20 shillings), featuring the iconic St George and the Dragon reverse design that has endured in various forms. It circulated widely both domestically and internationally as a standard currency piece until the outbreak of the First World War, when gold coinage began to diminish in everyday use due to economic pressures. In August 1914, the British government called in gold from circulation to bolster reserves and finance the war effort, effectively withdrawing them by summer 1915 and replacing them with paper notes of £1 and 10 shillings denominations. Despite the withdrawal, sovereigns continued to be minted during wartime—primarily at and mints—for reserve purposes rather than public circulation, with significant production in 1914 (approximately 20.1 million across mints) and 1915 (over 27 million). Limited resumption occurred in 1925 for , but by 1957, sovereigns were reissued solely as coins, retaining £1 status yet functioning more as investment pieces than everyday currency. Over their history from 1817 to 2016, approximately 614 million sovereigns were minted across various global branches, underscoring their vast scale compared to modern £1 coins. Following on 15 February 1971, no dedicated £1 coin entered circulation until the introduction of the modern round £1 in 1983; instead, the £1 denomination was represented by banknotes. These £1 notes, which had been issued since 1797 but gained a monopoly for in 1921, continued as the standard £1 form through the early decimal era, with Series C (1960–1979) and Series D pictorial designs (1978–1988) in active use. The notes were gradually phased out after the 1983 coin launch, ceasing to be on 11 March 1988, marking the end of paper £1 as a circulating medium. Rare instances of alternative circulating pieces approximating £1 value occurred in specific contexts, such as the 1951 crown. This cupro-nickel five-shilling (pre-decimal) coin, issued to commemorate the national exhibition celebrating post-war recovery, had a mintage of 2,145,500 and was intended for general circulation as , though many were retained by collectors. Redenominated at 25 pence after , it remained but saw limited everyday use due to its commemorative nature and the era's coin shortages. In the decimal period, gold £1 equivalents like persisted as but were not designed for routine transactions, emphasizing their role over the practical utility of the emerging nickel-brass £1 coin. Similarly, limited-edition pieces, such as the 1999–2000 £5 crowns struck in 22-carat (mintage around 2,500 proofs), held £5 face value but were produced for collectors and briefly recognized as without entering general circulation.

Recent and Commemorative Designs

The 12-sided £1 coin, introduced in 2017, initially featured the "Nations of the Crown" reverse design created by David Pearce, which incorporates the floral emblems of (rose), (leek), (thistle), and (shamrock) encircled by a royal coronet to symbolize the unity of the . This design served as the standard reverse from 2017 to 2022, appearing on coins bearing Queen Elizabeth II's effigy, with mintages progressively declining over the period—the 2022 version, the final under her reign, achieved the lowest at 7,735,000 coins, making it the rarest in the series currently in circulation. Following Queen Elizabeth II's death in 2022, the obverse shifted to the first of King Charles III, sculpted by Martin Jennings, debuting on the 2023-dated £1 coin with a total mintage of 10,030,000. The reverse adopted a new definitive design depicting a pair of honeybees, selected to honor the King's longstanding advocacy for environmental conservation and highlighting the importance of pollinators in the British ecosystem as part of a broader suite of nature-inspired circulating coinage. An initial batch of 2.975 million of these low-mintage coins entered general circulation in August 2024, marking the first widespread release of Charles III's portrait on the denomination. The bee motif persisted into 2025, with approximately 9 million coins struck bearing the 2025 date and III's ; by late 2025, approximately 9 million had entered circulation, rendering this variant the second rarest active £1 coin after the 2022 issue. Commemorative £1 coins issued between 2019 and 2021 were primarily produced for collectors in proof or uncirculated formats with minimal entry into everyday circulation, distinguishing them from standard designs intended for general use. Events like (2019) and the NHS (2020) were instead commemorated through widely circulated 50p coins rather than the £1 denomination. Looking ahead, the Royal Mint intends to maintain the environmental focus of the current definitive series, incorporating themes of British wildlife such as red squirrels, puffins, and dormice across future circulating coins, while exploring sustainable alloys and production methods to align with broader conservation goals; special editions tied to national events are also anticipated to continue the tradition of limited-release variants.

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