• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Britain's Small Coins Are to Be Given a Make-Over

Posted on: Friday, 19 August 2005, 06:00 CDT

COIN: Ancient British Gold Stater of Cunobelinus

DATE: AD10

METAL: Gold

SIGNIFICANCE: Britain's earliest coin with a design derived from older Macedonian money. While most workers traded in kind, those going abroad to France or Ireland needed cash. These represent what little written history there is from Celtic times.

TODAY'S VALUE: About pounds 2,000

COIN: Roman silver coin

DATE: AD46-47

METAL: Also minted in gold and copper

SIGNIFICANCE: Following the invasion of Britain in AD43, the Roman coinage system was introduced. While this coin depicts the Emperor Claudius on a chariot, this was the first coin to mention Britain. It was then worth about half a day's wages.

TODAY'S VALUE: Anything between pounds 50 and pounds 1,000

NAME: Gold Sovereign

YEAR: 1489

METAL: Gold

SIGNIFICANCE: The first coin with a face value of 20 shillings, the gold sovereign, was not minted until 1489, during the reign of Henry VII. They were last struck for circulation in 1932. The world's best-recognised coin, this version from the 19th century, depicts St George.

TODAY'S VALUE: pounds 50-pounds 2,000

NAME: Silver Crown

YEAR: 1656

METAL: Silver

SIGNIFICANCE: Traditional coinage standards were restored by Edward VI in 1551. Among the handsome new coins issued that year were the first large crown and half crown in silver. The Commonwealth coin was one of the first not to have the King's head on it.

TODAY'S VALUE: pounds 500-pounds 2,000

NAME: Guinea YEAR: 1791

METAL: Gold

SIGNIFICANCE: Under Charles II the old method of striking coins by hand was finally abandoned. This was a watershed. The new milled coins include the guinea, later to become the most important coin of the 18th century. This example was minted under George III.

TODAY'S VALUE: pounds 50-pounds 500

NAME: Cartwheel Penny YEAR: 1797

METAL: Copper

SIGNIFICANCE: This heavy penny was produced at a time when presses were becoming more efficient. With the industrial revolution, more coinage could be produced to pay workers. Coins proved vital to the modern economy.

TODAY'S VALUE: pounds 2-pounds 200

NAME: Silver Florin YEAR: 1848

METAL: Silver

SIGNIFICANCE: Britain's first decimal coin " 122 years before full decimalisation. The silver florin, or two-shilling piece " worth a tenth of a pound " was introduced in 1849 and continued until 1967, after which a 10 new- pence coin was issued.

TODAY'S VALUE: pounds 5-pounds 1,000

NAME: Five and 10 Pence pieces

YEAR: 1968

METAL: Cupro-nickel

SIGNIFICANCE: Between 1967 and 1971 certain coins were withdrawn as Britain headed towards decimalisation. The first new coins were the 5p and 10p, which corresponded in exact size and value to shillings and florins, and circulated alongside them for some time.

TODAY'S VALUE: 5p and 10p

NAME: 50 Pence piece

YEAR: 1969

METAL: Cupro-nickel

SIGNIFICANCE: The 50 Pence piece entered circulation in advance of decimalisation. Issued from October 1969 to replace the 10- shilling note, it was given the shape of an equilateral curved heptagon.

TODAY'S VALUE: 50p

NAME: Groat from reign of Henry VI

DATE: 1421-1471

METAL: Silver

SIGNIFICANCE: The Groat took its name from the Flemish "growth", ie it was bigger than the penny. Changes in 1279 included the issue of a short- lived fourpence. Minting was increasingly concentrated in London.

TODAY'S VALUE: pounds 20-pounds 200

NAME: Rose Noble from reign of Edward IV

YEAR: 1441-1483

METAL: Gold

SIGNIFICANCE: In 1344, during the reign of Edward III, a range of denominations emerged, including the first British gold coins. Thin and at more than 22 carats, they were too soft for everyday use. But at 6s 8d, they were the preserve of the wealthy and only used infrequently.

TODAY'S VALUE: pounds 200-pounds 2,000

NAME: Cromwell Gold Broad

YEAR: 1656

METAL: Gold

SIGNIFICANCE: The first coin to have the picture of a commoner on it and the original gold pound coin. It was significant that Oliver Cromwell allowed himself to be portrayed himself in regal terms on this coin.

TODAY'S VALUE: pounds 2,000-pounds 5,000

NAME: Charles II Farthing

YEAR: 1672

METAL: Copper:

SIGNIFICANCE: First British coin to have Britannia on it, which has remained as a motif ever since. The first round farthing was issued from 1279 under Edward I, and continued to be produced in small quantities for most monarchs up to Edward VI in about 1553.

TODAY'S VALUE: pounds 2-pounds 200

NAME: One Pound coin

YEAR: 1983

METAL: Nickel-brass

SIGNIFICANCE: Unpopular to start with, it was introduced as a replacement for the pounds 1 note, which suffered too much from wear and tear. The note, which had become too too expensive to produce and replace, ceased to be legal tender in 1988.

TODAY'S VALUE: pounds 1

NAME: Two Pound coin

YEAR: 1998

METAL: Bi metallic " cupro-nickel and nickel brass

SIGNIFICANCE: Britain's first British bi-metallic coin was issued in 1998. This was the last new denomination to be put into circulation, although the Royal Mint still releases commemorative and collectors' coins for special occasions, including Crowns with a value of pounds 5.

TODAY'S VALUE: pounds 2.

Source: Independent, The; London (UK)

More News in this Category