One pound (United Kingdom)
Value:	1. The Pound Sterling ( symbol £; ISO code: GBP) subdivided into 100 pence (singular penny) is the Currency 0 pound sterling
Mass:	9. The Pound Sterling ( symbol £; ISO code: GBP) subdivided into 100 pence (singular penny) is the Currency 5 g
Diameter:	22. For other uses of the words gram or gramme see Gram (disambiguation. 5 mm
Thickness:	3. The Millimetre ( American spelling: millimeter, symbol mm) is a unit of Length in the Metric system, equal to 15 mm
Edge:	Milled with incuse lettering
Composition:	70% Cu, 24. Copper (ˈkɒpɚ is a Chemical element with the symbol Cu (cuprum and Atomic number 29 5% Zn, and 5. Zinc (ˈzɪŋk from Zink is a Metallic Chemical element with the symbol Zn and Atomic number 30 5% Ni
Years of minting:	1983–present
Catalog number:	-
Obverse
Design:	Queen Elizabeth II
Designer:	Ian Rank-Broadley
Design date:	1997
Reverse
Design:	Royal Shield
Designer:	Matthew Dent
Design date:	2008

The circulating British one pound (£1) coin is minted from a nickel-brass alloy of approximately 70% copper, 24. Nickel (ˈnɪkəl is a metallic Chemical element with the symbol Ni and Atomic number 28 For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II Ian Rank-Broadley (born 1952 is a British sculptor who has produced many acclaimed works among which are several designs for British coinage. Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar The Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom is the official Coat of arms of the British monarch, currently Queen Elizabeth II. An alloy is a Solid solution or Homogeneous mixture of two or more elements, at least one of which is a Metal, which itself has Copper (ˈkɒpɚ is a Chemical element with the symbol Cu (cuprum and Atomic number 29 5% zinc, and 5. Zinc (ˈzɪŋk from Zink is a Metallic Chemical element with the symbol Zn and Atomic number 30 5% nickel. Nickel (ˈnɪkəl is a metallic Chemical element with the symbol Ni and Atomic number 28 The coin weighs 9. 50 grams (0. 34 oz) and has a diameter of 22. 50 millimetres (0. 89 in. ).

The coin was introduced on 21 April 1983 to replace the Bank of England one pound note, which ceased to be issued at the end of 1984 and was removed from circulation (though still redeemable at the Bank's offices) on 11 March 1988. Events 753 BC - Romulus and Remus found Rome ( traditional date) Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) The Bank of England (formally the Governor and Company of the Bank of England) is a state-owned institution and the Central bank of the United Kingdom Year 1984 ( MCMLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar) Events 1425 BC - Thutmose III, Pharaoh of Egypt, dies (according to the Low Chronology of the 18th Dynasty Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) One pound notes are still issued in Jersey, Guernsey and by the Royal Bank of Scotland, but the pound coin is much more widely used. The pound is the currency of Jersey. Jersey is in Currency union with the United Kingdom and the Jersey pound is not a separate currency but is an issue of banknotes The pound is the currency of Guernsey. Since 1921 Guernsey has been in Currency union with the United Kingdom and the Guernsey pound is not a separate currency The Royal Bank of Scotland plc ( Scottish Gaelic: Banca Rìoghail na h-Alba) is one of the retail banking subsidiaries of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group It was given the nickname "round pound" on introduction, although this term did not remain in common use.

As of December 2005 there were an estimated 1,452 million £1 coins in circulation. ^[1]

Designs

The £1 coin has the standard obverse designs used on all contemporary British coins, namely the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Arnold Machin in 1983 and 1984, by Raphael Maklouf between 1985 and 1997, and by Ian Rank-Broadley since 1998. For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II Arnold Machin OBE RA( 30 September 1911 – 9 March 1999) was a British artist sculptor coin and stamp designer Raphael Maklouf (born 10 December 1937) is a sculptor, best known for designing the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II used on Commonwealth Ian Rank-Broadley (born 1952 is a British sculptor who has produced many acclaimed works among which are several designs for British coinage. All have had the inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D date. Epigraphy (ἐπιγραφολογία from Greek ἐπιγραφή — "inscription" is the study of inscriptions or epigraphs engraved The standard circulating coinage of the United Kingdom is denominated in pounds sterling ( symbol "£") and since the introduction of the two pound

Uniquely amongst modern British coinage, the £1 coin has a mint mark. A mint mark is an inscription on a Coin indicating the mint where the coin was produced A small crosslet found on the milled edge that represents Llantrisant, where the Royal Mint has been based since 1968 in South Wales. Llantrisant is a Town in the County borough of Rhondda Cynon Taff, within the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan, Wales The Royal Mint is the body permitted to manufacture or mint, coins in the United Kingdom. ^[2]

An interesting feature of this denomination is that the design of the reverse of the coin changed each year between 1983 and 2008 to show, in turn, an emblem representing the UK, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and England, together with an appropriate edge inscription. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland The inscription ONE POUND appears at the bottom of all reverse designs before April 2008.

In August 2005 the Royal Mint launched a competition to find new reverse designs for all circulating coins apart from the £2 coin. The Royal Mint is the body permitted to manufacture or mint, coins in the United Kingdom. The standard circulating coinage of the United Kingdom is denominated in pounds sterling ( symbol "£") and since the introduction of the two pound ^[3] The winner, announced in April 2008, was Matthew Dent, whose designs will appear on the British coinage from summer 2008. Matthew Dent (born in 1981 in Bangor, Wales) is a British Graphic designer. ^[4] 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 Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom is the official Coat of arms of the British monarch, currently Queen Elizabeth II. The new £1 coin design features the shield in its entirety, representing the UK as a whole. The inscription ONE POUND appears on either side of the emblem.

The reverse designs are as follows.

	1983: Ornamental royal arms. Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) Edge inscription: DECUS ET TUTAMEN ("An ornament and a safeguard" – originally on 17th century coins, this refers to the inscribed edge as a protection against the clipping of precious metal). As a means of recording the passage of Time, the 17th Century was that Century which lasted from 1601 - 1700 in the Gregorian calendar Coin clipping is the act of shaving off a small portion of a Precious metal coin for Profit. Designed by Eric Sewell. [5]
	1984: Thistle sprig in a coronet, representing Scotland. Year 1984 ( MCMLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar) Onopordum acanthium ( Cotton Thistle Scotch Thistle Scottish Thistle Spear Thistle) is a Flowering plant in the Family Asteraceae. Edge inscription: NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT ("No-one provokes me with impunity" – the Latin motto of the Order of the Thistle). Nemo me impune lacessit is the Latin motto of the Order of the Thistle and of three Scottish regiments of the British Army. A motto (from the Italian word motto, meaning witticism sentence is a phrase meant to formally describe the general motivation or intention of a social group The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle is an Order of chivalry associated with Scotland.
	1985. Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) Leek in a coronet, representing Wales. The leek, Allium ampeloprasum var porrum (L also sometimes known as Allium porrum, is a vegetable which belongs along with the Onion and A coronet is a small crown consisting of ornaments fixed on a metal ring Edge inscription: PLEIDIOL WYF I'M GWLAD ("True am I to my country" – from the chorus of the Welsh National Anthem). "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau" (heːn ˈwlaːd vəˈn̥adaɨ usually translated as "Land of My Fathers" ( dear country of my fathers) is by tradition the National
	1986: Flax in a coronet, representing Northern Ireland. Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) Flax (also known as common flax or linseed) (binomial name Linum usitatissimum) is a member of the genus Linum Edge inscription: DECUS ET TUTAMEN.
	1987: Oak tree in a coronet, representing England. Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) The term oak can be used as part of the common name of any of about 400 species of Trees and Shrubs in the Genus Quercus (from Latin Edge inscription: DECUS ET TUTAMEN.
	1988: Crown over shield. Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) Edge inscription: DECUS ET TUTAMEN.
	1989: As 1984. Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) 1990: As 1985. Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) 1991: As 1986. Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. 1992: As 1987. Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) 1993: As 1983. Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar)
	1994: Lion Rampant within a double tressure flory counter-flory, representing Scotland. Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) The Royal Standard of Scotland, also known as the Royal Standard of the King of Scots or more commonly the Lion Rampant was the flag used historically by the Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Edge inscription: NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT.
	1995: Welsh dragon. Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 Edge inscription: PLEIDIOL WYF I'M GWLAD.
	1996: Celtic cross and pimpernel, representing Northern Ireland. Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) A Celtic cross is a symbol that combines a Cross with a ring surrounding the intersection For the 2nd century BC grammarian sometimes thought to be named Anagallis see Agallis. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of Edge inscription: DECUS ET TUTAMEN.
	1997: Three lions passant guardant, representing England. Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Edge inscription: DECUS ET TUTAMEN.
	1998: As 1983. Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) Issued in collectors' sets only, not for circulation. 1999: As 1994. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Issued in collectors' sets only, not for circulation. 2000: As 1995. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. 2001: As 1996. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. 2002: As 1997. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. 2003: As 1983. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar.
	2004: Forth Bridge (Scotland). "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " For the nearby road bridge see Forth Road Bridge. The Forth Bridge is a cantilever Railway Bridge over the Obverse: Rank-Broadley head, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2004, starting below, IRB directly under the bust. The standard circulating coinage of the United Kingdom is denominated in pounds sterling ( symbol "£") and since the introduction of the two pound Encircled by dots. Reverse: Forth Rail Bridge, ONE POUND below. Encircled by a railway line. Edge: Two overlapping lines, one curved and one angular, reminiscent of the shape of the bridge.
	2005: Menai Suspension Bridge (Wales). Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Menai Suspension Bridge, or Pont Grog y Borth in Welsh, is a Suspension bridge between the island of Anglesey and the mainland of Wales Obverse: Rank-Broadley head, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2005, starting below, IRB directly under the bust. The standard circulating coinage of the United Kingdom is denominated in pounds sterling ( symbol "£") and since the introduction of the two pound Encircled by dots. Reverse: Menai Suspension Bridge, ONE POUND below. Encircled by a truss. In Architecture and Structural engineering, a truss is a structure comprising one or more triangular units constructed with straight slender members whose Edge: Two overlapping lines, one curved and one angular.
	2006: MacNeill's Egyptian Arch at Newry (Belfast–Dublin railway line, Northern Ireland). Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. MacNeill's Egyptian Arch is a railway bridge in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland. Newry ( short form An tIúr, "The Yew" is the fourth largest city in Northern Ireland and eighth on the island of Ireland. Obverse: Rank-Broadley head, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2006, starting below, IRB directly under the bust. The standard circulating coinage of the United Kingdom is denominated in pounds sterling ( symbol "£") and since the introduction of the two pound Encircled by dots. Reverse: MacNeill's Egyptian Arch, ONE POUND below. Encircled by a truss. Edge: Two overlapping lines, one curved and one angular.
	2007: Millennium Bridge, Newcastle/Gateshead (England). Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The Gateshead Millennium Bridge is a pedestrian and cyclist Tilt bridge spanning the River Tyne in England between Gateshead on the south Newcastle upon Tyne ( (often shortened to Newcastle) is a city and Metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, England Gateshead is a town in Tyne and Wear, England. It lies on the southern bank of the River Tyne, opposite Newcastle upon Tyne. Obverse: Rank-Broadley head, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2007, starting below, IRB directly under the bust. The standard circulating coinage of the United Kingdom is denominated in pounds sterling ( symbol "£") and since the introduction of the two pound Encircled by dots. Reverse: Millennium Bridge, ONE POUND below. Encircled by a truss. Edge: Two overlapping lines, one curved and one angular.
	January–April 2008: As 1983. PortalCurrent events International holidays January 1 - New Year's Day January 1 - Independence International holidays and other major events April 1 - April Fools' Day April 4 - Qingming Festival (Mainland
	2008–: The shield from the Royal Coat of Arms. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common The Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom is the official Coat of arms of the British monarch, currently Queen Elizabeth II. Obverse: Rank-Broadley head, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2008, starting below, IRB directly under the bust. The standard circulating coinage of the United Kingdom is denominated in pounds sterling ( symbol "£") and since the introduction of the two pound Reverse: The Royal Shield, ONE and POUND either side of the shield. The Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom is the official Coat of arms of the British monarch, currently Queen Elizabeth II. Edge inscription: DECUS ET TUTAMEN.

All years except 1998 and 1999 have been issued into circulation, although the number issued has varied enormously – 1983 and 1984 in particular had large mintages to facilitate the changeover from paper notes, while some years such as 1986 and 1988 are only rarely seen (although 1988 is more noticeable as it has a unique reverse). Production since 1997 has been reduced, thanks to the introduction of the circulating two pound coin.

Mintages

• 1983 ~ 443,053,510
• 1984 ~ 146,256,501
• 1985 ~ 228,430,749
• 1986 ~ 10,409,501
• 1987 ~ 39,298,502
• 1988 ~ 7,118,825
• 1989 ~ 70,580,501
• 1990 ~ 97,269,302
• 1991 ~ 38,443,575
• 1992 ~ 36,320,487
• 1993 ~ 114,744,500
• 1994 ~ 29,752,525
• 1995 ~ 34,503,501
• 1996 ~ 89,886,000
• 1997 ~ 57,117,450
• 1998-1999 ~ none
• 2000 ~ 109,496,500
• 2001 ~ 58,093,731
• 2002 ~ 77,818,000
• 2003 ~ 61,596,500
• 2004 ~ 39,162,000
• 2005 ~ 68,138,000

Counterfeiting

Fake on the top

It is a common misconception that all fake pound coins are made of lead; this is far from true as a vast majority are made of copper, most lead copies are easy to spot and are quickly removed from circulation. Characteristics Lead has a dull luster and is a dense, Ductile, very soft highly A Royal Mint survey in 2006 revealed 1. 7% of £1 coins in circulation are counterfeit – nearly twice as many as earlier estimates. A counterfeit is an imitation that is made usually with the intent to deceptively represent its content or origins ^[6][7] One common method of detecting counterfeits (if the sound of the coin on a table or the colour of the metal doesn't indicate something suspicious) is to check whether the reverse matches the edge inscription for the alleged year – it is extremely common for counterfeiters to get this wrong. Also, the writing on the edge may be in the wrong font and look very poor (see image), and the coins often generally look much less sharp and defined, lacking intricate details.

Further reading

In an April 1993 The New Yorker article 'Britannia's New Bra Size', Julian Barnes describes the meetings to choose the 1994–1997 reverse designs. The New Yorker is an American Magazine that publishes reportage commentary criticism essays fiction satire cartoons and poetry Britannia was the term originally used by the Romans to refer first to the British Isles, and later to the island of Great Britain. Julian Patrick Barnes (born January 19, 1946 in Leicester, England) is a contemporary English Writer. This is reprinted in his book 'Letters from London'.

See also

• Pound sterling
• Banknotes of the pound sterling
• Coins of the pound sterling

References

External links

• Royal Mint – £1 coin
• Coins of the UK – Decimal £1 coin
• Counterfeit £1 coin examples