Coins of Great Britain: pennies and pounds

The numismatic system of the United Kingdom is extremely complex. All coins of Great Britain are regularly updated, and up to 1971 they were not even a multiple of ten. This circumstance forced ordinary buyers to perform in the mind a whole series of intricate mathematical actions.

The official and unchanged currency of all territories of the UK for decades is Pound sterling. Today, the British also use pennies. Pound and two-pound coins of Great Britain decorate the profile of Queen Elizabeth II. On the reverse side is a symbolic coat of arms. It is a reflection of several heraldic traditions. In the basis of his drawing came the English and Scottish lions and harp of the Celts.

Mass production

The whole emblem, present on the reverse, can boast only coins of Great Britain worth 1 GBP. On the two-pound flaunts an intricate abstract ornament. It is worth noting that Pound sterling does not have an established reverse. It is updated every couple of years. Previously, this procedure was conducted annually. The cycle has a certain thematic focus. One season can be dedicated to metropolitan metropolises, the other - bridge structures and famous crossings.

In the intermediate releases on the reverse, the emblems of the subjects of the United Kingdom are placed. In this case, they are presented most fully, without denominations and cuts. So, the following collection of "Symbols" includes the following motifs adorning the coins of Great Britain:

• Scottish lion;
• The dragon of Wales;
• English lions;
• Cross of the Celts of Northern Ireland.

The line "Bridges" is decorated with images of the Millennium Bridge, which is located in England, the Grog and Bort crossing, located on the lands of Wales, the Scottish fortress, the Egyptian arch, which rises among the mountain landscapes of Northern Ireland.

Amazing series of "Bushes". It included coins of Great Britain, on the back of which there are illustrations of typical plants found in the territory of the United Kingdom. It is flax that grows in the north of Ireland, English oak, Welsh onion, Scottish thistle.

You can buy them both from the hands and at the offices of state institutions: at the post office or at the treasury. To date, prices for full sets of British coins start from £ 23. If the kit includes rare samples, then for him asking for amounts that count in the hundreds of GBP.

Folk love

As for the attitude of ordinary citizens of the Kingdom to metal pounds, it is rather negative. According to the majority, their weight is unreasonably large. Coins pull pockets and spoil the look of clothing. It is inconvenient to carry them in your wallet, so the British try to get rid of them in every possible way.

The easiest, but most unusual way to get one pound worth of British coins is to exchange currency in any slot machine.

Pence

Now on the territory of the UK are in circulation pennies of various designs. The state emblem on them appeared only nine years ago. Up to 2008 their appearance had other features. Below you can see what a 1 penny coin looks like. The UK has a sufficient number of symbols, so the coins of this country are distinguished for their originality.

Most often, pennies are applied to elements that somehow symbolize the United Kingdom. If you're lucky, you can get an image of the Prince of Wales feathers.

Reverses are decorated with portraits of Elizabeth II. The coins differ from the metal, from which they are cast. Modern realities dictate their own rules, so the cost of a penny is gradually reduced by using cheaper alloys.

Anniversary issues

As in Russia, the numismatics of the United Kingdom has its own limited series, the production of which was timed to coincide with this or that solemn event in the life of the country. In total there are four varieties.

Please note that the 1 pound (UK) coin is not issued in limited editions. In everyday life, you can find only the limits of 50 pennies and 2 £. Each year, the mint coins one kind, sometimes two.

In addition to the usual jubilee samples, in the UK you can purchase three more types. This coin is a large denomination, cast from precious metals and the so-called Mandy money. The latter are a special invention of the English monarchal throne. They are distributed in the form of charity representatives of the ruling family. The MM shop is accepted according to the specified denomination, but collectors are ready to give them a fortune.

Colonial Numismatics

Over the centuries, England was known as an influential sea lord. These times have sunk into oblivion, but their legacy still serves as proof of the mighty past of the country's navy. Currently, more than ten autonomies of the United Kingdom use the pound sterling. In the process, they have a penny coin (Great Britain). In this case, the land itself is not part of the UK.

These territories include Gibraltar, the Isle of Man and Jersey, St. Helena, Asuncion, Guernsey and other subjects. Many of them issue their own banknotes. In Gibraltar, they officially use local bills, but they have English pennies (pennies).

On the Isle of Man in the course of national and British pounds. Periodically, jubilee series are produced.

Back to the past

The first monetary unit, which was cast from metal and used by residents of all territories of the United Kingdom, was a coin of 1 crown. Great Britain released it in 1526. It was made entirely of gold. Over time, the nominal weight was reduced. At the court of Jacob I, its value was equivalent to five shillings. And after 1663 she was replaced by guinea.