1p Coin - The Royal Mint

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1p Coin Designs and Specifications

The United Kingdom 1p coin was one of three new coins introduced into general circulation on 15th February 1971, when the United Kingdom adopted a new decimal currency system. The other two new coins were the 1/2p and 2p coins.

To avoid confusion between the old and new coinage, all three coins had the word 'NEW' incorporated into the reverse design. This was later removed in 1982.

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.

The 1p coin is legal tender for amounts up to 20p.

Issue Date	15 February 1971
Specifications
Diameter	20.3mm
Weight	3.56g
Thickness	Bronze: 1.52mmCopper-plated steel: 1.65mm
Composition	Bronze (97% copper, 2.5% zinc, 0.5% tin) - until September 1992Copper-plated steel - since September 1992
Obverse Designers	1971-1984 - Arnold Machin1985-1997 - Raphael Maklouf1998-2015 - Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS2015-2022 - Jody Clark2022 to Date - Martin Jennings
Reverse Designers	1971-2008 - Christopher Ironside2008 - Matthew Dent2022 to date - The Royal Mint
Edge	Plain

Every baby deserves a Royal welcome

In a fitting gesture in keeping with an age-old tradition to mark a new birth with a gift of silver for good luck, The Royal Mint gave babies born on the same day as the future monarch a suitably royal welcome by presenting them with a silver penny, struck with the year of their birth.

Giving a silver gift to mark the arrival of a new baby is now generally considered to be a keepsake, rather than a practical gift for a baby. However, throughout history, crossing the palm of a newborn baby with silver, or offering them a silver penny, was also seen as a way to wish them wealth and good health throughout their life.

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© The Royal Mint Limited. The Royal Mint Limited whose registered office is at Llantrisant, Pontyclun, CF72 8YT, United Kingdom (registered in England and Wales No. 06964873).