The classic, round, gold-colored £1 coin first came out on 21 April 1983. Yes, that’s right—the 1980s. It was a time of big hair, even bigger shoulder pads, and suddenly, a shiny new coin to replace the old £1 note. The Royal Mint decided that notes just weren’t durable enough. They wanted something that would last longer in your wallet (or your pocket, or your piggy bank). And honestly, who can blame them? Paper money gets crumpled, sweaty, and torn. A coin, though? That thing could survive a tumble in a washing machine and still buy you a bag of crisps.
But Wait—Why Is This Fun?
Because that little coin started a treasure hunt! Back in the 1980s, every time you got a £1 coin, you could check its edge for different lettering. Some said “DECUS ET TUTAMEN,” which is Latin for “An ornament and a safeguard.” Others had a tiny, intricate design of a lion or a crowned portcullis. Suddenly, carrying change wasn’t just boring metal—it was a miniature art gallery. You could pretend you were a detective, matching the coin’s edge to its year. And who doesn’t love a good detective moment while waiting for a bus?
Fun fact for you: The first £1 coins were actually round, but they had a non-regular edge. If you look closely, you’ll notice it’s not perfectly smooth—it’s got little grooves and depressions. This was a cheeky anti-counterfeiting trick. The mint wanted to trip up any would-be forgers. And it worked! For a while, the £1 coin was one of the most secure coins in the world. You have to admire that level of cleverness, right?
When does the new £1 coin come out and when will the old one pound
