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Britain unveils new coins
London: Britain's Royal Mint has unveiled new designs for the country's new coinage - designed by a 26-year-old graphic designer from Wales.
- Agencies
- Published: 11:40 April 3, 2008
London: Britain's Royal Mint has unveiled new designs for the country's new coinage – designed by a 26-year-old graphic designer from Wales.
The new coins are set to enter circulation this summer, replacing the old coins, except for the ₤2 coin, which will stay the same. They are first major design changes in 40 years.
The six new designs of the 1p through to the 50p can be pieced together to form a complete image of the royal coat of arms. The ₤1 features the complete royal shield.
The Queen's head, which hasn't been changed since 1994, remains the same.
26-year-old Matthew Dent beat 4,000 other entrants in a nationwide competition and was awarded ₤35,000.
There is no Welsh dragon anymore on the designs. But, controversially, the most contentious change has been to remove Britannia for the first time in three centuries.
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