Penny (British decimal coin)

Short description: Coin, one-hundredth of a pound sterling

For the pre-decimal British one penny coin, see Penny (British pre-decimal coin). For silver pennies produced after 1820, see Maundy money.

One penny

United Kingdom

Value| £0.01
Mass| 3.56 g
Diameter| 20.3 mm
Thickness| (Bronze) 1.52 mm
(Steel) 1.65 mm
Edge| Plain
Composition| Bronze (1971–1991)
Copper-plated steel (1992–)
Years of minting| 1971–present[1]
Obverse
Design| Queen Elizabeth II
Designer| Jody Clark
Design date| 2015
Reverse
Design| Segment of the Royal Shield
Designer| Matthew Dent
Design date| 2008

The United Kingdom decimal one penny (1p) coin is a unit of currency and denomination of sterling coinage worth ​1⁄100 of one pound. Its obverse featured the profile of Queen Elizabeth II since the coin's introduction on 15 February 1971, the day British currency was decimalised until her death on 8 September 2022. A new portrait featuring King Charles III was introduced on 30 September 2022, designed by Martin Jennings. Four different portraits of the Queen were used on the obverse; the last design by Jody Clark was introduced in 2015. The second and current reverse, designed by Matthew Dent, features a segment of the Royal Shield and was introduced in 2008.[2] The penny is the lowest value coin (in real terms) ever to circulate in the United Kingdom.

The penny was originally minted from bronze, but since 1992 has been minted in copper-plated steel due to increasing copper prices.

There are an estimated 10.5 billion 1p coins in circulation as of 2016, with a total face value of around £105,000,000.

1p coins are legal tender only for amounts up to the sum of 20p when offered in repayment of a debt; however, the coin's legal tender status is not normally relevant for everyday transactions.

## Contents

* 1 Etymology
* 2 History
* 2.1 Metallic composition
* 2.2 Obverse designs
* 2.3 Reverse designs
* 3 Status
* 3.1 Speculation on withdrawal
* 3.2 Value
* 4 Mintages
* 5 See also
* 6 References
* 7 External links

## Etymology

The word penny is derived from the Old English word penig, which itself comes from the proto-Germanic panninga.[3] The correct plural form for multiple penny coins is pennies (e.g. fifty pennies). The correct term for monetary amounts of pennies greater than one penny is pence (e.g. one pound and twenty pence).[4]

## History

Prior to 1971, the United Kingdom had been using the pounds, shillings, and pence currency system. Decimalisation was announced by Chancellor James Callaghan on 1 March 1966; one pound would be subdivided into 100 pence, instead of 240 pence as previously was the case.[5]

This required new coins to be minted, to replace the pre-decimal ones.[6][7] The original specification for the 1p coin was set out in the Decimal Currency Act 1969, which was replaced by the Currency Act 1971. Both mandated the weight of the coin to be 3.564 grams ±0.0750g, and 2.032 cm ±0.125 mm in diameter.[8] Subsequently, the Currency Act 1983 allows for the standards of the 1p coin to be changed by royal proclamation.[9]

The new 1p coins began production in December 1968 in the newly built Royal Mint facility in Llantrisant, South Wales. 1,521,666,250 1p coins were minted between 1968 and the end of 1971.[10] On 15 February 1971, the United Kingdom officially switched to a decimal currency and the new coins entered circulation.[11] The coins continue to be minted at this facility today.[12]

### Metallic composition

The coin was originally minted in bronze (composition 97% copper, 2.5% zinc, 0.5% tin) between 1971 and September 1992. However, increasing world metal prices necessitated a change of composition. Since 1992, the coins are minted in steel and electroplated in copper, making them magnetic.[13] Rising world prices for copper had caused the metal value of the pre-1992 copper 1p coin to exceed 1p (for example, in May 2006, the intrinsic metal value of a pre-1992 1p coin was about 1.5 pence).[14] Melting coins is illegal in the United Kingdom and is punishable by a fine, or up to two years imprisonment.[15][16]Template:History of the English penny

### Obverse designs

To date, four different obverses have been used, all of which feature a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. The outer inscription on the coin is ELIZABETH II D.G.REG.F.D. 2013,[17] where 2013 is replaced by the year of minting. In the original design both sides of the coin are encircled by dots, a common feature on coins, known as beading.

Anticipation of a switch to a decimalised currency led to the commissioning of a new Royal Portrait by artist Arnold Machin, which was approved by the Queen in 1964.[18] This featured the Queen wearing the 'Girls of Great Britain and Ireland' Tiara and was used until 1984.[13] A modified form of this portrait has appeared on British Postage stamps since 1967.[19]

Between 1985 and 1997 a portrait by Raphael Maklouf was used.[13] The portrait is couped, and depicts the Queen wearing the George IV State Diadem. Unlike previous portraits, the Queen is wearing jewellery, earrings and a necklace. The initials of Maklouf RDM are shown below the neck of the Queen. His middle name, David, is included so that the mark is not confused with the initials of the Royal Mint.[19]

In 1997, a competition to design the obverse of the 1997 Golden Wedding crown – a coin issued to celebrate the Queen's and Prince Philip's 50th wedding anniversary – was held. The standard of entry was so high that following this competition, the Royal Mint held another to design the new portrait.[20] Ian Rank-Broadley won this competition, and his design was used between 1998 and 2015.[13] His design again featured the tiara, with a signature-mark IRB below the portrait.[21] The depiction of the Queen was seen as more realistic, with Rank Broadley himself saying "There is no need to flatter her. She is a 70-year-old woman with poise and bearing".[19]

Portcullis reverse: 1982–2008

In 2014, the Royal Mint again held a competition to design a new portrait.[22] Designer Jody Clark won this competition, with a portrait of the Queen wearing the George IV State Diadem and the initials JC feature under the neck of the Queen.[13][19] The portrait was sketched without an official sitting, only using reference material for inspiration.[22]

### Reverse designs

Despite no official government confirmation of a switch to decimalised currency, the Royal Mint began the design process for decimal coins in 1962. They invited the Royal Academy, the Royal Institute of British Architects, the Faculty of the Royal Designers for Industry and the Royal College of Art to nominate artists to design the hypothetical new coins. British sculptor Christopher Ironside won this competition, and his design was chosen to feature on the potential decimalised currency. His design for the 1p coin featured a Scottish theme, with a coin depicting a thistle above a Scottish flag inside a shield and a Scottish lion inside a shield.[23] However, Chancellor James Callaghan's announcement that the United Kingdom would decimalise its currency included an open competition to find the new designs. Over 80 artists and 900 different designs were submitted.[18] Ironside entered this competition with a further, different style of designs and won.[23][24]

The reverse of the coin, which was minted from 1971 to 2008, featured a crowned portcullis with chains (an adaptation of the Badge of Henry VII which is now the Badge of the Palace of Westminster), with the numeral "1" written below the portcullis, and either NEW PENNY (1971–1981) or ONE PENNY (1982–2008) above the portcullis.[13]

In August 2005 the Royal Mint launched a competition to find new reverse designs for all circulating coins apart from the £2 coin.[25] The winner, announced in April 2008, was Matthew Dent, whose designs were gradually introduced into circulating British coinage from mid-2008.[26] The designs for the 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p and 50p coins depict sections of the Royal Shield that form much of the whole shield when placed together. The entire shield was featured on the now-obsolete round £1 coin.[27] The 1p coin depicts the left section between the first and third quarter of the shield, representing England and Northern Ireland. The coin's obverse remains largely unchanged, but the beading (the ring of dots around the coin's circumference), which no longer features on the coin's reverse, has also been removed from the obverse.[28]

In October 2023 the King Charles III one penny coin was presented; the coin design features a hazel dormouse. [29][30]

## Status

### Speculation on withdrawal

The proposed withdrawal of the 1p coins has been subject of media speculation, such as in 2015 when the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, proposed the withdrawal of the 1p coin. This was vetoed by Prime Minister David Cameron, because of the potential unpopularity with the public.[31]

In March 2018, the Government launched a consultation on the future of payments in the British economy. One question focused on the denominational mix of coins, including 'dormant' denominations.[32] This prompted speculation that the 1p and 2p coins could be withdrawn from circulation.[33][34] Analysis from staff at the Bank of England concluded that fears about the withdrawal were 'unfounded' and that there would be no significant impact on prices if copper coins were scrapped, noting the sharp decline in usage of copper coins. It is estimated that 60% of copper coins are only spent once, before being removed from the cash cycle, as they are saved or binned. Approximately 8% of 1p coins are estimated to be thrown away entirely, requiring the annual minting of new 1p and 2p coins with a face value of £500m to replace coins falling out of circulation.[35] Further, potential inflationary effects from the rounding of prices caused by scrapping the 1p would likely be minimal, given only 3% of payments by value are made in cash and card payments would continue to be made unrounded.[36]

There was concern raised by some charities and businesses over the scrapping of 1p coins. Charities feared that the number of donations made in collection pots would fall and some business models could be severely impacted, for example traditional seaside arcades.[37][38] However, in May 2019 Chancellor Phillip Hammond announced the outcome of a 2018 consultation, suggesting there were no plans to scrap copper coins and that he wanted the public to "have choice over how they spend their money".[39][40] No 1p coins were minted in 2018, as the Treasury said that there were already enough in circulation.[41][42]

### Value

Since around 1990, the penny has had the lowest value in real terms of any coin in the history of the United Kingdom, since at least its formation by the Acts of Union in 1707. All previous low-value coins were withdrawn before their purchasing power fell below the current value of the penny.[43] The purchasing power of previous lowest-value coins is:

Coin  | Face value
(fraction
of £1) | Withdrawn  | 2023 equivalent
purchasing power
at withdrawal[44]

|
|
|

Half farthing  | ​1⁄1920 | 1869/1870
Farthing  | ​1⁄960 | 1960
Pre-decimal halfpenny  | ​1⁄480 | 1969
Pre-decimal penny  | ​1⁄240 | 1971
Decimal halfpenny | ​1⁄200 | 1984

## Mintages

Number of decimal penny coins minted for circulation by year[45] Year  | Number minted  | Composition  | Portrait  | Reverse

|
|
|
|

1971 | 1,521,666,250  | Bronze  | Machin  | Ironside
1972 | In proof sets only
1973 | 280,196,000
1974 | 330,892,000
1975 | 221,604,000
1976 | 300,160,000
1977 | 285,430,000
1978 | 292,770,000
1979 | 459,000,000
1980 | 416,304,000
1981 | 301,800,000
1982 | 100,292,000
1983 | 243,002,000
1984 | 154,759,625
1985 | 200,605,245  | Maklouf
1986 | 369,989,130
1987 | 499,946,000
1988 | 793,492,000
1989 | 658,142,000
1990 | 529,047,500
1991 | 206,457,600
1992 | 253,867,000  | Copper-plated steel
1993 | 602,590,000
1994 | 843,834,000
1995 | 303,314,000
1996 | 723,840,060
1997 | 396,874,000
1998 | 739,770,000  | Rank-Broadley
1999 | 891,392,000
2000 | 1,060,420,000
2001 | 928,698,000
2002 | 601,446,000
2003 | 539,436,000
2004 | 739,764,000
2005 | 536,318,000
2006 | 524,605,000
2007 | 548,002,000
2008 | 180,600,000
507,952,000  | Dent
2009 | 556,412,800
2010 | 609,603,000
2011 | 431,004,000
2012 | 227,201,000
2013 | 260,800,000
2014 | 464,801,520
2015 | 154,600,000
2015 | 418,201,016  | Clark
2016 | 368,482,000
2017 | 240,999,600
2018 | In proof sets only
2019 | In proof sets only
2020 | 88,071,910
2021 | 56,000,000
2022 | 30,000,000

Data taken from the Royal Mint mintage statistics.[10] The latest estimate from the Royal Mint of the total number of 1p coins in circulation was in March 2016 and there were an estimated 10.5 billion 1p coins in circulation, with a total face value of around £105,000,000.[41]

## See also

* History of the British penny (1714–1901)
* History of the British penny (1901–1970)

## References

1. ↑ "1p Coin". 15 February 1971. https://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/coin-design-and-specifications/one-penny-coin/.
2. ↑ "One Penny Coin". https://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/coin-design-and-specifications/one-penny-coin/.
3. ↑ "penny | Origin and meaning of penny by Online Etymology Dictionary" (in en). https://www.etymonline.com/word/penny.
4. ↑ "pence | Definition of pence in English by Lexico". https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/pence.
5. ↑ James Callaghan, Chancellor of the Exchequer (1 March 1966). "Economic Situation". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). United Kingdom: House of Commons. col. 1120. https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1966/mar/01/economic-situation#column_1120.
6. ↑ Freeman, Len (2011-02-05). "What's that in old money?" (in en-GB). BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-12346083.
7. ↑ "The Royal Mint and decimalisation | The Royal Mint". https://www.royalmint.com/discover/decimalisation/the-story-of-decimalisation/.
8. ↑ Coinage Act: Schedule 1, The National Archives, 1971-05-12, 1971 c. 24 (sch. 1), http://legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/24/schedule/1/enacted
9. ↑ Currency Act: Section 1, The National Archives, 1983 c. 9  (s. 1), http://legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1983/9/section/1/enacted
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Mintage Figures". http://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/circulation-coin-mintage-figures.
11. ↑ "All Change: Decimalisation". http://www.royalmintmuseum.org.uk/coins/british-coinage/all-change-decimalisation/index7.html.
12. ↑ "Making the coins in your pocket | The Royal Mint". https://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/making-the-coins-in-your-pocket/.
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 "One Penny Coin | The Royal Mint". https://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/coin-design-and-specifications/one-penny-coin/.
14. ↑ Your small fortune: 2p coins that could be worth 3p each, Telegraph, 12 May 2006
15. ↑ "Destroying Coinage | The Royal Mint". https://www.royalmint.com/help/coinage-faqs/destroying-coinage/.
16. ↑ Coinage Act: Section 10, The National Archives, 1971 c. 24  (s. 10), http://legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/24/section/10/enacted
17. ↑ Clayton, Tony. "Decimal Coins of the UK – Bronze". http://www.tclayton.demon.co.uk/decbr.html.
18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "All Change Decimalisation". http://www.royalmintmuseum.org.uk/coins/british-coinage/all-change-decimalisation/index4.html.
19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 "The five portraits of Her Majesty The Queen". https://www.royalmint.com/discover/royalty/the-royal-portraits/.
20. ↑ "Coins to get new Queen's head" (in en-GB). BBC News. 2014-11-06. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-29929462.
21. ↑ "Royal Effigy" (in en-US). http://www.ianrank-broadley.co.uk/work/royal-effigy/.
22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Ballinger, Lucy (2017-08-12). "Artist whose initials are in your pocket" (in en-GB). BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-40801798.
23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "The UK coins that were never made | The Royal Mint". https://www.royalmint.com/discover/decimalisation/unseen-ironside-designs/.
24. ↑ "Christopher Ironside's designs | The Royal Mint". https://www.royalmint.com/discover/decimalisation/christopher-ironsides-decimal-designs/.
25. ↑ "Royal Mint seeks new coin designs", BBC News, 17 August 2005
26. ↑ "Royal Mint unveils new UK coins" , 2 April 2008
27. ↑ "Royal Mint unveils coin designs" (in en-GB). BBC News. 2008-04-02. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7326491.stm.
28. ↑ "In Pictures: UK coins unveiled" (in en-GB). BBC News. 2008-04-02. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7327144.stm.
29. ↑ BBC
30. ↑ The Royal Mint
31. ↑ Asthana, Anushka (2017-06-30). "George Osborne came within weeks of scrapping the penny" (in en-GB). The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jun/29/change-we-need-david-cameron-vetoed-plan-to-scrap-1p-piece.
32. ↑ HM Treasury (March 2018). "Cash and digital payments in the new economy: call for evidence". https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/689234/Cash_and_digital_payments_in_the_new_economy.pdf.
33. ↑ Peachey, Kevin (2018-03-13). "Is this the end for 1p and 2p coins?" (in en-GB). BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-43388662.
34. ↑ Monaghan, Angela (2018-03-13). "All change? Future of 1p and 2p coins in doubt as demand falls" (in en-GB). The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/mar/13/1p-2p-coins-demand-treasury-50-note-digital.
35. ↑ Monaghan, Angela (2018-08-22). "Risk of scrapping 1p and 2p coins 'unfounded'" (in en-GB). The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/aug/22/bank-report-reopens-debate-on-scrapping-1p-and-2p-coins.
36. ↑ Angeli, Marilena; Meaning, Jack (2018-08-22). "Price Impact of Removing the Penny". https://bankunderground.co.uk/2018/08/22/opposing-change-the-price-impact-of-removing-the-penny/.
37. ↑ "Why we probably won't stop spending pennies any time soon" (in en). https://www.itv.com/news/2019-04-29/is-the-penny-about-to-drop-seasiders-react-to-possible-end-of-one-pence-and-two-pence-coins/.
38. ↑ Caroline Wheeler, Sabah Meddings and (2019-04-28). "Look after the penny: Treasury reprieves 1p coin" (in en). The Sunday Times. ISSN 0956-1382. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/look-after-the-penny-treasury-reprieves-1p-coin-07cv5n2d8.
39. ↑ HM Treasury (3 May 2019). "Cash here to stay as government commits to protecting access". https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cash-here-to-stay-as-government-commits-to-protecting-access.
40. ↑ Peachey, Kevin (2019-05-03). "Future of 1p and 2p coins secured" (in en-GB). BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-48133093.
41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 "No new 1p coins for first time in decades" (in en-GB). BBC News. 2019-08-08. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-49275300.
42. ↑ Media, P. A. (2019-08-07). "Royal Mint makes no 1p or 2p coins for first time in decades" (in en-GB). The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/aug/07/royal-mint-paused-creation-of-1p-and-2p-coins-last-year.
43. ↑ Reuben, Anthony (2019-06-01). "What is the least valuable British coin ever?" (in en-GB). BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-48153442.
44. ↑ UK Retail Price Index inflation figures are based on data from Clark, Gregory (2017). "The Annual RPI and Average Earnings for Britain, 1209 to Present (New Series)". MeasuringWorth. https://measuringworth.com/ukearncpi/. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
45. ↑ "1p One Penny Mintage Figures". https://www.royalmint.com/corporate/circulating-coin/uk-currency/mintages/1-penny/.

## External links

* Royal Mint - 1p coin
* Coins from United Kingdom / Coin Type: One Penny - Online Coin Club

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