The Story of the British Pound Coin

Second Portrait Used in 1983 & 1984

Royal Arms Reverse Design Used in 1983, 1993, 1998, & 2003

Thistle Design on Reverse of 1984 & 1989

Third Portrait Used From 1985 to 1997

Leek Design on Reverse of 1985 & 1990

Flax Design on Reverse of 1986 & 1991

Oak Tree Design on Reverse of 1987 & 1992

Royal Arms on Plain Shield Design on Reverse of 1988

Scottish Lion Rampant Design on Reverse of 1994 & 1999

Welsh Dragon Design on Reverse of 1995 & 2000

Celtic Cross & Broighter Collar Design on Reverse of 1996 & 2001

English Three Lions Design on Reverse of 1997 & 2003

Fourth Portrait Obverse Used From 1998 Onwards

A £1 coin denomination is not, of course, new. The gold sovereign has been struck from 1489 until 1932, although it started to be replaced during the first world war. It has again been issued intermittently from 1957, although as a bullion and collectors piece rather than for circulation.

Gaining Popularity
The £1 coin was not very popular when it first appeared, but this is often the case. It promises to be quite an interesting series, in its first 16 years it has had 13 different designs, only repeating a previous design in the three years 1990, 1991, and 1992. In my personal opinion, the ordinary nickel brass version is not particularly attractive, but the silver proof versions transform it into an attractive and beautiful collectors piece.

Prediction
It's our guess that the pound coin may be reduced in thickness in the next few years, and its weight reduced, in line with the two pound coin, which appears to be gaining in popularity.

1998, 1999, and 2000 Not Issued for Circulation
We have been informed by the Royal Mint that no pound coins were issued for circulation dated 1998 or 1999, although it is always likely that a few taken from collector's sets will reach circulation.
In 1998, the only versions available were silver proofs, proofs from the proof sets, and uncirculated coins from the mint sets.
In 1999, there were also specimen versions issued in folders, in addition to the types issued in 1998.
In 2000, all four sources are possible, plus silver piedfort proofs. The Royal Mint tell us, 9th October, 2000, it is likely that year 2000 pound coins will still be issued.

Summary of Pound Coin Designs
Because the design of the pound coin seems to change every year, it makes it slightly confusing to attempt to remember which design was made in which year.
To help simplify this, we have prepared a table of designs:-

Date	Obverse	Reverse	Description
1983	Decimal	Royal Arms	Coat of Arms
1984	Decimal	Scottish	Thistle & Crown
1985	Third	Welsh	Leek & Crown
1986	Third	Northern Ireland	Flax & Crown
1987	Third	English	Oak & Crown
1988	Third	Royal Shield	Shield
1989	Third	Scottish	Thistle & Crown
1990	Third	Welsh	Leek & Crown
1991	Third	Northern Ireland	Flax & Crown
1992	Third	English	Oak & Crown
1993	Third	Royal Arms	Coat of Arms
1994	Third	Scottish	Lion Rampant
1995	Third	Welsh	Dragon
1996	Third	Northern Ireland	Celtic Cross
1997	Third	English	Three Lions
1998	Fourth	Royal Arms	Coat of Arms
1999	Fourth	Scottish	Rampant Lion
2000	Fourth	Welsh	Dragon
2001	Fourth	Northern Ireland	Celtic Cross
2002	Fourth	English	Three Lions
2003	Fourth	Royal Arms	Coat of Arms
2004	Fourth	Scottish	Forth Railway Bridge
2005	Fourth	Welsh	Menai Straits Bridge
2006	Fourth	Northern Ireland	Egyptian Arch
2007	Fourth	English	Millennium Bridge
2008	Fourth	Royal Arms	Coat of Arms

Type Chart of Every Pound Coin Design

More about the Welsh Dragon

World Pound Coins
We have a page listing £1 Coins of Other Countries.

If you want to find the value of a coin you own, please take a look at our page I've Found An Old Coin, What's It Worth?

Questions They Ask Us