The New 12-sided £1 Coin: All the facts

It has been confirmed that the new 12-sided £1 coin will enter circulation in less than 12 weeks time.

28th March 2017 is sure to become a historic day as we welcome the new coin which has been billed to become the most secure circulating coin in the world.

This will be the first specification change to our £1 coin in more than 3 decades, since the pound was first introduced in 1983.

What’s new?

Formally named ‘The Nations of the Crown 2017 UK £1‘ the coin was designed by 15-year-old David Pearce following a public competition in 2015. The new design is made up of the English rose, the Welsh leek, the Scottish thistle and the Northern Irish shamrock emerging from one stem within a royal coronet to represent the four constituent countries of the United Kingdom.

Important dates:

28th March 2017:  The new 12-sided £1 coin will enter circulation.  It may take a little while for people to start seeing it in their change as it gradually filters into general use.

28th March – 15th October 2017: During these six months the co-circulation period will take place. You will be able to use both coins as normal in this time in preparation for demonetisation.

16th October 2017: The Round £1 will cease to be legal tender from this day onwards.

We’re really looking forward to finding them in our change when they’re released in 83 days time. And remember, pound coins with the 2017 date are likely to be more sought after – especially in good condition or uncirculated.


Be one of the FIRST people to own the new £1 Coin.

Today you can own all 13 of the United Kingdom’s 2017 coins including the brand new ‘Nations of the Crown’ 12-sided £1 within the latest annual coin pack.

The 2017 United Kingdom Annual Coin Set

14 Comments

  1. Mr Eugene Nikitin on February 1, 2017 at 6:01 pm

    How do I get a piedefort pound coin?



  2. Tohur Uddin on January 9, 2017 at 7:47 pm

    Good



  3. David Crane on January 9, 2017 at 5:50 pm

    I have one of the trial £1 coins – dated 2015, with the IRB head design.

    From the reactions I’ve had from people that I’ve shown it to, the new 12 sided £1 is going to be very popular.

    I often wonder what a “trail piece” for the new £1 is worth? … not that I have any intention of selling mine



    • Yasmin Britton on January 10, 2017 at 9:31 am

      Hi David, how exciting how did you manage to get hold of a trial piece? Absolutely, i think they will definitely be very popular, just like the new polymer fivers. In terms of what your £1 may be worth, i have no idea. I don’t think the Royal Mint would give you a valuation either i’m afraid. Sorry i can’t be of more help! Thanks, Yasmin



  4. Andy Holden on January 9, 2017 at 4:55 pm

    has anyone received a royal mint annual set with 2 aviation £2 coins in, instead of 1 aviation £2 and 1 Jane Austen £2…… if so does anyone think they would be worth exchanging an returning or keeping due to their error?



    • Yasmin Britton on January 9, 2017 at 5:12 pm

      Hi Andy, it sounds like this is human error and someone has placed two of the same coins instead the two different ones in the pack. I would recommend returning it for a refund unless you want two of the same coins. Hope this helps. Thanks, Yasmin



      • Andy Holden on January 9, 2017 at 5:22 pm

        thanks for the advise, wasnt sure if it would be worth more due to error but i suppose thinking abut it, its a simple mstake not minting or printing error ???



    • Les Kent on January 25, 2017 at 7:31 pm

      Hi Andy
      I have a 2007 set with two of the same £2 coin in (the 1807 slavery coin ) it should have
      had the type 17 jigsaw coin, but lucky for me is that the slavery coin is my favouret coin
      andI have a lot of them, ( that is another story) I kept mine and bought another set to go with it.
      what you could do is check the edge inscription and see if the are the opposites
      ona the right way up and the other up side down, because there may be a collector out there who collects all the opposits I DO.
      Best regards
      Les.



  5. David Murray on January 9, 2017 at 4:48 pm

    I have a number of pound coins which I consider might have an enhanced value due to being rarer. If I kept them beyond October 2017 when they cease to be legal tender would I still be able to get face value if I paid them into my bank?



    • Mike on January 11, 2017 at 3:55 pm

      Yes David I also would like to know this.Mike



    • Yasmin Britton on January 11, 2017 at 4:00 pm

      Hi David, the Pound coins will cease to be legal tender on the 16th October so on this date you will no longer be able to take them to the bank or the Post Office to exchange them for their face value. Hope this helps. Thanks, Yasmin



    • Les Kent on January 25, 2017 at 7:18 pm

      Hi David
      I am no expert BUT I do think they will be just like the old LSD money, pounds,shillings and pence, have you tried to buy an old sixpence or shilling they are still selling for
      good prices because collectors want to add them to their collections,
      Thats my guess.
      Good luck
      Les.



  6. Simon Baxter (@Baxtr_HD) on January 4, 2017 at 2:18 pm

    Would they be available from banks on 28th March?



    • Yasmin Britton on January 5, 2017 at 9:46 am

      Yes they should be but it may take a while to circulate properly through the UK just like the polymer fiver. Hope this helps. Thanks, Yasmin