What are Definitive Coins?

Whilst new commemorative coins are issued each year to celebrate some of the UK’s most important anniversaries, did you know that the coins most readily found in our day-to-day change feature the same designs each year? 

These are known as the ‘definitive’ coins, and it’s actually been a whole 15 years since we last saw a change to their reverse designs! 

But, as we now enter a new era of King Charles III, it’s #AllChange for our humble definitive coins, with eight brand new designs set to be revealed this year… 

From the 1p to the £2, these coins have formed the UK’s circulating currency for over 50 years. 

In this blog, we’ll take a look at the history of UK definitive coins and what the future might bring as we look forward to the new releases coming soon! 

The UK’s Eight Definitive Coins

There are eight different coin denominations to be found in our everyday change (1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1, £2). 

Their story began in 1971, when Britain’s coinage went decimal – a plan which had been in the making for over 10 years! 

Originally, only the 1p-50p coins were released and each featured the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Arnold Machin on the obverse. Their reverse designs had been created by Christopher Ironside, for which he won an OBE. 

Christopher Ironside Decimal Designs 
Credit: The Royal Mint
Christopher Ironside Decimal Designs
Credit: The Royal Mint

Whilst the Queen’s portrait has changed on these coins throughout the years (Raphael Maklouf in 1985, Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS in 1998 with the introduction of the definitive £2 coin and Jody Clark in 2015), it wasn’t until 2008 that the reverse designs all changed and the first definitive £1 was introduced.  

The Royal Shield on Coins

In 2008, the new definitive coins were released. 

Competition winner, Matthew Dent had created a clever design utilising each of the denominations from 1p-50p and bringing them together like a jigsaw to form the Royal Shield – shown in its entirety on the definitive £1 coin. 

Matthew Dent's Royal Shield Definitive Designs
Matthew Dent’s Royal Shield Definitive Designs
Definitive Royal Shield £1
Definitive Royal Shield £1

At this time, the definitive £2 remained unchanged with the Technology design, first introduced in 1998. 

1998 Technology £2
1998 Technology £2

Britannia £2

The very last change we’ve seen to our definitive coins came in 2015, when the £2 reverse design was updated to the iconic Britannia design by Anthony Dufort. 

2015 Britannia £2
2015 Britannia £2

Not only this, but the obverse design for all denominations was also updated in 2015 as the last effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Jody Clark graced our UK coinage. 

Jody Clark Queen Elizabeth II portrait
Jody Clark Queen Elizabeth II portrait

What’s next for UK Definitive Coins?

Usually, definitive coins are issued each year as part of the Annual Coin Set and then released into circulation based on demand. 

However, following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the introduction of King Charles III’s new coinage portrait, this year has been an exception… 

Whilst a 2023 Annual Coin Set was released, this only featured 5 commemorative designs and no definitive coins. 

2023 Annual Set reverse designs
2023 Annual Set reverse designs
2023 Annual Set King Charles III obverses
2023 Annual Set King Charles III obverses

Throughout the year, many collectors have asked us when the King Charles III definitive coins will be released and what the designs will be. 

Excitingly, it seems that the wait is almost over, as The Royal Mint announced on the 5th October 2023 that we can expect to see new definitive coin designs featuring King Charles III on the obverse very soon… 

This will be the first time that both the ‘heads’ and ‘tails’ sides of coins have changed at the same time, and of course, the first time the King will feature on a UK 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p and £1 coin! 

As perhaps the biggest change we’ve seen to UK coinage in decades, we’re expecting a huge collecting rush for the New UK Coinage for King Charles III and can’t wait to see the new coins when they’re released. 

Keep an eye on our social media and website as we’ll be updating you as soon as we have more information on when these exciting new coins. 

What do you think the designs will look like? Let us know in the comments below!

Australia’s New King Charles III Coin Effigy Revealed!

More than a year after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, The Royal Australian Mint have officially announced the release of their first coins featuring King Charles III.

For the first time in 70 years, and after more than 15.5 billion coins were minted with the face of the late Queen, the Australian $1 coin will feature an effigy of the King.

Official Commonwealth effigy of King Charles III 
Credit: AAP
Official Commonwealth effigy of King Charles III
Credit: AAP

The King’s image

The King’s image that features on these brand new $1 coins will be the official Commonwealth effigy, available for use by all British Commonwealth countries. As with all official portraits of reigning monarchs, the new effigy has been personally approved by King Charles III.  

As with our UK coins, this new Australian $1 coin sees the monarch facing the opposite direction to his predecessor, Queen Elizabeth II.

Australian QEII Coin Effigies 
Credit: The Perth Mint
Australian QEII Coin Effigies
Credit: The Perth Mint

A major change for Australian Coinage

During her reign, six effigies of Queen Elizabeth II have featured on Australian coinage, however the latest change was only 5 years ago. From 1998 to 2018, with the exception of 2000, it was Ian Rank-Broadley’s effigy that featured on Australian coinage.

In 2018, a new effigy of the Queen by Jody Clark was approved and made it’s way onto Australian coins in 2019.

2019 Ian Rank-Broadley QEII Effigy on Australian £1

Considering that the Queen Elizabeth effigy only changed fairly recently, the introduction of King Charles III is sure to cause a huge shake up in Australian coinage.

How many will enter circulation?

The final mintage figure of the 2023 Australia $1 is yet to be confirmed, however, The Royal Australian Mint have announced that an estimated 10 million will be circulating by Christmas.  

Most Australians will never have held a circulating coin featuring a King on the obverse, so this new issue is guaranteed to attract the attention of not only collectors, but anyone who regularly uses coinage.

The $1 is the only denomination to feature His Majesty at the moment, however The Royal Australian Mint have said that the $2, $5, 10 cent, 20 cent and 50 cent coins will be released gradually next year.

When will we see the King on UK coinage?

Although we’ve already seen the King’s effigy on commemorative UK 50p, £2 and £5 coins since the Queen Elizabeth II Memoriam coin range last year, it’s just been announced that all UK coins are set to change. As the full range of circulating coins from the 1p to the £2 will not only feature the King, but are also set to receive brand new reverse designs.

As perhaps the biggest change we’ve seen to UK coinage in decades, we’re expecting a huge collecting rush for the New UK Coinage for King Charles III and can’t wait to see the new coins when they’re released. 

Keep an eye on our social media and website as we’ll be updating you as soon as we have more information on these exciting new coins. 

Coming soon…The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 50p!

Excitingly, a brand new UK 50p coin will be issued to celebrate the beloved story, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was the first novel in the Chronicles of Narnia collection by fantasy author, C. S. Lewis. The story, first published in 1950, is beloved by many and considered an introduction to the fantasy literature genre.

Sign up for updates about this new UK coin, including when you can get your hands on it!

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 50p Sign Up

* indicates required

Guarantee all future UK coins for your collection

Join the Change Checker UK CERTIFIED BU Subscription Service and receive the very latest UK coins sent to your door without the hassle of placing orders on the day of release!

Click here to sign-up today, completely for free >>