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The United Kingdom 1p coin was one of three new coins introduced into general circulation on the 15 February 1971 when the United Kingdom adopted a new decimal currency system. The other two new coins were the 1/2p and 2p coins (5p, 10p and 50p had been introduced earlier). The one penny coin is currently the lowest circulating denomination of the British (decimal) Pound Sterling, after the half penny was demonetised in 1984. Between 1971 and 1991, one penny coins were made of bronze. The first copper-plated steel 1p coins were struck in 1992. The reason for this change was the increase in the price of metals on the world markets. The coins have a mild steel core and are electroplated with copper - consequently they are magnetic. They retained the original design by Christopher Ironside until the introduction of the new 1p by Matthew Dent in 2008. Coins of this type are still current and circulate in parallel with the new ones. Coins issued in 2008 have now been circulating for 17 years. One penny and two pence coins are legal tender only up to the sum of 20p; this means that it is permissible to refuse payment of sums greater than this amount in 1p and 2p coins in order to settle a debt. | ||||||||||||
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Buy Silver Coins Online |
Variety | In mint sets | |
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Mintage | Issued: 136,244 (included in total) | |
In Sets |
2008 United Kingdom Brilliant Uncirculated Coin Collection, mintage 79,118
9 coins: £2 Technology, £2 London Olympics 1908, £1 Royal Arms, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, 1p - variety: 2008 United Kingdom Brilliant Uncirculated Coin Collection (Baby Gift Set), mintage unknown (included in the above set) United Kingdom Brilliant Uncirculated Coin Collection Emblems of Britain, mintage 57,126 7 coins: £1 Royal Arms, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, 1p | |
Variety | Proof FDC | |
Mintage | Issued: 36,333 (included in total) | |
In Set |
United Kingdom 2008 Proof Coin Collection, mintage 17,719
11 coins: £5 Queen Elizabeth I, £5 Prince Charles, £2 Technology, £2 London Olympics 1908, £1 Royal Arms, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, 1p - variety: United Kingdom 2008 Proof Coin Collection (Deluxe), mintage 13,614 (not included in the above set) - variety: United Kingdom 2008 Executive Proof Coin Collection, mintage 5,000 (not included in the above set) | |
Variety | Silver Proof FDC | |
Mintage | Issued: 8,168 | |
Material | 0.925 Silver | |
Details | 20.32 mm, 3.564 g of Sterling Silver (0.1059 oz. ASW). | |
In Set |
2008 United Kingdom Coinage Emblems of Britain Silver Proof Collection, mintage 8,168
7 coins: £1 Royal Arms, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, 1p | |
Variety | Gold Proof FDC | |
Mintage | Issued: 708 | |
Material | 0.917 Gold | |
Details | 20.32 mm, 3.564 g of 22-carat Gold. | |
In Set |
2008 United Kingdom Coinage Emblems of Britain Gold Proof Collection, mintage 780
7 coins: £1 Royal Arms, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, 1p | |
Variety | Platinum Proof FDC | |
Mintage | Issued: 250 | |
Material | 0.999 Platinum | |
Details | 20.32 mm, 8.60 g of 99.9% Platinum. | |
In Set |
2008 United Kingdom Coinage Emblems of Britain Platinum Proof Collection, mintage 250
7 coins: £1 Royal Arms, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, 1p |
Source | Edition | About | Link | Notes |
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Royal Mint | 28th March 2019 | Mint | link | |
Royal Mint | 28th March 2019 | Mintage | link | Circulation mintage |
Spink, Coins of England and the United Kingdom | Mintage | Proof and sets mintage | ||
Spink, Coins of England and the United Kingdom | Varieties | Proofs, mint sets |
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London Mint Office coins. |
Country | United Kingdom |
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Currency | Pound Sterling |
Coin Type | One Penny (Ironside design, Steel) |
Issued | 2008 |
Monarch | Queen Elizabeth II |
Effigy | Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait, by Ian Rank-Broadley |
Face Value | 1 (x Penny) |
Circulation Mintage | 180,600,000 (180.6 million) |
Total Mintage | 180,772,577 (180.8 million), Rarity: C (Common) |
Current | Yes |
Material | Copper-plated steel |
Designer | Christopher Ironside |
Technology | Milled (machine-made) |
Shape | Round |
Orientation | Medal Alignment (Axis 0) |
Size | 20.3000 mm |
Thickness | 1.6500 mm |
Mass | 3.5600 g |
OCC ID | ZQRA-PEBN-CNWG-EYJD |
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A Guide Book of United States Coins 2025 Redbook |
Source | Reference ID |
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Spink, Coins of England and the United Kingdom | B5 (was 4710) |
Krause, Standard Catalog of World Coins | Great Britain KM# 986, 986b (Silver), 986c (Gold) |