Decimal Coinage UK (Great Britain) Europe Coins: World Coins & Paper Money

The first decimal coinage was circulated in 1968. These were the five pence (5p) and ten pence (10p) decimal coinage. They had values of one shilling and two shillings under the pre-decimal system. Decimal coinage is minted in copper-plated steel, cupro-nickel and nickel-brass. It used to be minted in bronze. The two-pound coin is bimetallic. The coins are all disc-shaped, except for the twenty pence and fifty pence pieces, which are heptagonal. Circulating decimal coinage all has an image of Queen Elizabeth II on the front, and various national designs on the back.

 

All circulating decimal coinage except the two pound coin was redesigned in 2008. The sizes and compositions are unchanged, but a clever design wherein the back of each coin depicts a part of the Royal Shield of Arms. When they are arranged together correctly, they illustrate the whole shield. In addition to the circulating decimal coinage, the UK also mints commemorative decimal coinage. Some territories outside the United Kingdom use the pound sterling. These countries all produce their own decimal coinage, with the same denominations and specifications as the UK decimal coinage but local designs.