STOP: the five £1 coins you must NOT cash in!
*** 2020 UPDATE ***
Three years since the old round pound coins were demonetised and replaced by the 12 sided £1, it’s been revealed that 122 million of these old coins still have not been returned to The Royal Mint.
Roughly 1.58 billion have found their way back to the Mint, but in addition to this, there have been at least 1.5 billion counterfeit round pounds handed in.
The Royal Mint said these fakes “could not be readily distinguished from the genuine coin, which is why a new coin was introduced”.
But, of the 122 million genuine round pounds still in circulation, which ones should you be looking out for?
In 2017, the Round £1 coins were demonetised and replaced by the new 12 sided coins we see today. The public were encouraged to spend or return their coins to the banks, but did you know that not all of these coins made it back to The Royal Mint?
Whilst these old coins are no longer legal tender, they can still be returned to the bank and deposited into you account, however there’s a few coins you definitely shouldn’t be cashing in if you’re lucky enough to find one (tip: try looking down the back of the sofa, in coat pockets or old supermarket bags for those lost and forgotten coins!).
Here are the ones to look out for:
Scotland: Edinburgh City
The Edinburgh City £1 Coin
The Edinburgh City £1 coin was released in 2011 with a mintage of just 935,000, making it the lowest Round Pound by 680,000!
Taking this into account, there’s no real surprise that this coin sits top of our Scarcity Index with a perfect score of 100.
Such is the rarity, only 17% of Change Checker users list having this coin in their collection.
This coin currently sells for between £7-£12.
Wales: Cardiff City
The Cardiff City £1 Coin
Another of the capital cities series, the Cardiff City £1 coin is definitely one to keep.
Released in 2011, this coin has a mintage of just 1,615,000 and is in 2nd position in our Scarcity Index with a very high score of 88.
This coin depicts the circular Coat of Arms of Cardiff as the principal focus to represent Wales.
This coin is worth between £3-£5.
England: London City
The London City £1 Coin
The 3rd coin from the capital cities series that you should hold on to is the London City £1 coin. Interestingly, the Belfast City coin does not make our list.
Released in 2010, this coin has a mintage of 2,635,000, much higher than Edinburgh and Cardiff but low in comparison to other £1 coins.
London City scores an impressive 77/100 in our Scarcity Index.
This coin can sell for between £3-£6.
Scotland: Thistle and Bluebell
Scotland: Thistle and Bluebell £1 coin
The Thistle and Bluebell £1 coin was released in 2014 as part of the floral emblems series.
It has a mintage figure of 5,185,000 and scores a 55 on our Scarcity Index, coming in 4th place.
This coin features a thistle alongside a bluebell to represent Scotland.
This is worth between £2-£5.
UK: Crowned Shield
UK: Crowned Shield £1 coin
The UK Crowned Shield £1 coin was released way back in 1988, only 5 years after the Round £1 came into circulation.
Although it has a relatively low mintage figure of 7,118,825, this coin makes the list due to some interesting Change Checker App data.
It scores a 51 in our Scarcity Index but less than 1/4 of Change Checker users list having this coin in their collection and swap requests outnumber swap listings by 6 to 1!
This coin will sell for between £3-£7.50.
It’s worth noting that our valuations are based on coins that have recently sold on auction sites. The value of a coin depends on a number of factors including the coin’s condition.
Own the 2017 Round £1 Collecting Pack
Secure your exclusive £1 Collector Pack today which includes Britain’s last round pound as well as an original £1 Banknote. Click here to order yours >>
Or take a look at the old round £1 coins and complete your collection here >>
Is there a “RoundPound” card or display box I can put my full collection of £1 please.
Hi Margaret, thanks for your message, you can purchase the Change Checker album here: http://www.westminstercollection.com/p-448H/The-Great-One-Pound-Coin-Race-Collectors-Kit.aspx Thanks Luke
If you have an Edinburgh coin for sale, would you pls let me know if I could afford it. I have some Cardiff, London and Scotland Thistle and Bluebell coins for exchange or sale. (In good condition)
Hi Samuel, unfortunately we do not have any Edinburgh £1 coins for sale, such is their scarcity – Luke
Thank you, Luke. But bare in mind that I am very interested in acquiring one. That’s the one I need to complete my collection.
Hi I have a 2pound coin with a old Lang syne could this be with anything thank you
Hi Ann, This is the 2009 Robert Burns £2 coin which scores 19/100 on our scarcity index making it quite common: http://www.changechecker.org/coin/56/2pound-Robert-Burns.aspx If you are looking to sell, I would suggest seeing what similar coins have sold for on eBay. Thanks Luke
Still need Edinburgh for my collection. Please send me one I will pay.
Hi Madeline, I’m afraid that we do not have any Edinburgh City £1 coins for sale such is the scarcity. Thank Luke
Not wanting to sell but approximate how much Is a full set of Round Pound coins worth? Including the uncirculate last Pound coin 26 Pound coins in total
Thanks in advance
Hi Ian, I’m afraid that it’s impossible to say at the moment as it really depends on the condition of your coins and essentially what a collector would be willing to pay. However, we do predict that the value of these collections may rise once the coins are demonetised. Thanks Luke
What do you think the full set of round pound coins including the uncirculated one not wanting to sell just a approx price?
im pleased to say that i kept every 1988 crowned pound coin i ever got and now have over 24 spare including one proof silver which i got for £7!
Do you have any info on a 1987 NI Flax, they all seem to be about 1986,1991??
Hi Sharon, The NI Flax £1 was only struck in 1986 and 1991. If you have a coin with a date other than this, it is likely a fake I am afraid – Luke
I have one of those too. The Royal Mint informed me it was a fake. I am going to put mine in my collection suitably labelled.
Belfast £ coin ?
I have a mis-struck one pound coin UK crowned shield. The stamp is about 1-2 mm off center could this be valuable ???
Hi Steve, while interesting to collectors, mis-strikes are rarely worth much more than face value. Thanks Luke
Thanks for the information
What about the 2008 Royal Coat of Arms coin? I’m told they are quite scarce. What are they worth?
I thought this was too Ajay Nawathe So am interested to know more info plz
3.9 million were in circulation
Phew!! Thank the stars I haven’t cashed my stash in!!?? 3 x City of Edinburgh coins Cheers
Can someone help me. I’m sitting here with two Flax £1 coins and when the queens head is facing up one has the writing the right way up and one upside down. I have tried to google it but can’t seem to find an answer to if it’s a minting error. Does anyone have any information they could tell me. Thanks
Hi Suzanne, we’d be happy to take a look at this for you if you can email some photos to [email protected] ? Thanks – Luke
Thank you, I have just sent an email.
Thanks
Suzanne
I believe thatthe edge lettering and the coin designs were stamped in separate processes and therefore its just random which way up the lettering appears. Certainly I have many of the pound coins with the lettering both ways.
I read somewhere that because the two sides of a coin are struck separately & not at the same time the writing around a coins perimeter can be either way up & also one side can be upright while the other upside down or any angle in between.
Suzanne, this might help you.
http://www.royalmint.com/help/help/edge-inscription-upside-down
Nice one Luke. Wish I had known about all this 10 years ago ! Keep it coming. Always interesting.
I have just lost pretty much all my collections which included these above after being burgled. So watch out they will be in circulation again.
Aha. I have all of these, and no intention of cashing them in, they are going to be my pretty bits of metal collection!
thank you very much for this info have printed out for my contact list x