1989 Gold 5 Pound Coin BU - 500th anniversary of the Gold Sovereign
More info
The new 12-sided, bi-metallic one-pound coin was first minted in 2016 although the coin itself did not become legal tender until March 2017. It is the same design as the 2017 coin but is dated 2016.
The early production was to allow the mint enough time to produce enough coins to replace the 1.6 billion old round one-pound coin which would cease to be legal tender by on 15 October 2017. After that date the coin is effectively worthless (unlike UK banknotes which can always be redeemed by the Bank of England).
The new 12-sided bi-metallic design is intended to make counterfeiting more difficult, via an undisclosed hidden security feature, called 'iSIS' (Integrated Secure Identification Systems). The round pound suffered from forgeries with an estimated 1-in-30 as fake.
The basic specification is:
The Reverse shows a Rose, leek, thistle, and shamrock encircled by a coronet which are the Nations of the Crown representing the United Kingdom. Designer is David Pearce.
The Obverse is a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Jody Clark.
The early production was to allow the mint enough time to produce enough coins to replace the 1.6 billion old round one-pound coin which would cease to be legal tender by on 15 October 2017. After that date the coin is effectively worthless (unlike UK banknotes which can always be redeemed by the Bank of England).
The new 12-sided bi-metallic design is intended to make counterfeiting more difficult, via an undisclosed hidden security feature, called 'iSIS' (Integrated Secure Identification Systems). The round pound suffered from forgeries with an estimated 1-in-30 as fake.
The basic specification is:
- Mass 8.75 g
- Diameter 23.03-23.43 mm
- Thickness 2.8 mm
- Edge Alternately milled and plain
- Outer ring: Nickel-brass (76% Cu, 20% Zn, and 4% Ni)
- Inner planchet: Nickel-plated alloy
The Reverse shows a Rose, leek, thistle, and shamrock encircled by a coronet which are the Nations of the Crown representing the United Kingdom. Designer is David Pearce.
The Obverse is a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Jody Clark.