Have the new British coins gone into general circulation yet?

DBSTrader2

I remember hearing a while ago when first announced that the new designs would be slowly introduced into circulation later in the year. Has that started/completed yet? Any way yet to get my hands on the coins in a reasonably-priced circulation set vs all the high-priced proofs, etc when first announced?

Any info and/or links would be appreciated!

Thx!

- - Dave

DBSTrader2

ttt - - nobody knows?

Sapyx

I've seen some posts (on other forums) mention that they'd found a couple of the denominations. I don't know if they've all been released yet.

Bjorn

I've seen the new pennies, two pence and five pence in circulation - the two pence looks far and away the best, as the rampant lion is nearly centred on the reverse.

Bjorn

newbiecollector

I am currently working with a couple of UK fellas here in Norway and they travel home every week or so. I will ask them tomorrow.

Sorry to admit I did not realise new coins were even going to be minted.

spoon

I have no info regarding whether these are reaching circulation yet, but for those who haven't seen 'em, here's the pics from the mint:



Interesting, if somewhat odd concept...

Hussulo

Personnaly I've recived the 1, 2, 5 and 10 pence in change.
I am yet to come across the 20 and 50 pence and £1 but they might be out there.

BCNumismatics

My boss got an example of the new 5p. in change for me when he was in London a few weeks ago.I've also got an example of the 2008 1p. coin with the old crowned portcullis design.

I reckon that the new designs are just plain terrible,as it looks like Matthew Dent has cut up the Royal Coat-of-Arms & stuck each piece onto a coin.Matthew Dent is from Wales,yet there isn't even a representative design for Wales at all.

Aidan.

DBSTrader2

That's EXACTLY his premise! Kind of like "from many, one".............

BCNumismatics

Dave,
I don't understand what you are meaning.Please can you explain?

Aidan.

DBSTrader2

The British (or Welsh) designer of the redesigned coins wanted something new, but also something to tie them back to the familiar. So he kept the design of the Royal Coat of Arms as his "tie to the past" and as the overall design of the 1-pound coin, and then had each denomination under 1-pound be a piece of that coat of arms, such that, when put together as in the picture Spoon provided, they were like puzzle pieces combining to put back together that coat of arms design. His intent was to show how Great Britain was a "whole of many parts" - - which is why I used our nation's motto "From Many, One" - - or E Pluribus Unum. I actually think his designs and thought process were rather clever, even if it does take a while for the designs - - taken individually - - to grow on you. It was a pretty radical and contemporary step for Great Britain's coinage, which was another goal of the program - - to renew their relevance in today's world.

- - Dave