United Kingdom Coin List

The United Kingdom's monetary system is currently based on the pound sterling, which is divided into 100 pence. Coins in circulation include denominations of 1 pence, 2 pence, 5 pence, 10 pence, 20 pence, 50 pence, 1 pound and 2 pounds. The Bank of England is responsible for issuing banknotes, while the Royal Mint is responsible for minting coins.

Monetary history

The monetary history of the United Kingdom is rich and extensive. Before decimalization in 1971, the British monetary system was more complex, with 12 pence in a shilling and 20 shillings in a pound. This system, known as pounds, shillings and pence, had its roots in medieval times. The pound sterling is one of the oldest coins in the world still in use, with a history dating back more than 1200 years.

Numismatic milestones

British numismatics has experienced several significant milestones. In 1489, the first gold coin called a sovereign was minted during the reign of Henry VII. The introduction of the one pound coin in 1983 marked a major change, replacing the pound bill. In 2017, a new 12-sided one-pound coin was launched, designed to be one of the most secure coins in the world. In addition, the UK has issued numerous commemorative coins to celebrate historic events and important figures.