The old pound coin, which was used in the United Kingdom from 1983 to 2017, had 12 sides. This distinctive dodecagonal (12-sided) shape helped distinguish it from fakes and counterfeits. The large number of sides made the pound coin more difficult to reproduce and gave it a unique tactile feel. In this 5000 word article, we will take an in-depth look at the history, dimensions, security features, and eventual replacement of the 12-sided pound coin.
Brief History
Before 1983, the pound coin was round like many other coins. But the Royal Mint decided to introduce a new pound coin that was harder to counterfeit. After considering various designs, they chose a dodecagonal shape with multiple security features. This new 12-sided pound coin entered circulation in 1983. It replaced the previous round pound, which remained acceptable in circulation and was gradually phased out.
The dodecagonal poundcoin remained the standard pound coin for over 30 years. But eventually technology advances made counterfeiting more of a concern again. The Royal Mint responded by introducing a new 12-sided pound coin in 2017. This new coin had the same shape but was smaller, thinner, and had additional security features. The old larger pound coins were usable until mid 2017 and are now no longer legal tender.
Dimensions
The dodecagonal design gave the original pound coin a distinctive size and shape. The diameter was 22.5 mm across the flats and 30.61 mm across the corners. Other key dimensions included:
- Thickness – 3.15 mm
- Mass – 9.5 grams
- Edge – Alternating milled and plain sections
These dimensions made the coin noticeably thicker and heavier than many other coins. This helped contribute to its tactile feel and made it stand out in transactions. While not as large in diameter as the old round pound, its chamfered dodecagonal shape gave it a large footprint on any flat surface.
Security Features
The dodecagonal pound coin had multiple security features to thwart counterfeiting attempts:
- Dodecagonal shape – Harder to replicate than circular coins
- Alternating milling – Made redundant copy machining more obvious
- Secret datum mark – Helped authentication machines detect size and shape copies
- Integrated portrait – Discouraged piecemeal reproduction of elements
- Microlettering – Tiny letters visible under magnification
- Inscribed edge – Unique words or dates difficult to reproduce
- Hologram – Added 1990, changed 1998 for even better docs
- Specifications – Precise combination of dimensions, shapes and engraving
These multiple layers of security made the pound coin more difficult to counterfeit. While sophisticated criminals could still produce fakes, the complicated shape and defenses discouraged casual counterfeiting attempts.
Producing the Coins
Producing billions of dodecagonal pound coins required special equipment and processes. Here are some of the steps involved:
- Creating dodecagonal coin blanks – Starts with coiled sheet metal punched into shape by presses
- Annealing blanks – Heating blanks makes them softer for striking detailed designs
- Feeding blanks into coining press – Automated equipment feeds blanks between dies
- Coining die set – Engraved master hub creates sunken relief design on face
- Striking coins – High pressure stamping imprints designs on both sides of blanks
- Inspecting coins – Quality control checks make sure details are rendered correctly
- Counting and bagging – Coins are counted and sealed into labeled bags for distribution
- Security – Strict security protocols prevent theft and protect coin dies
The complex shape of the coins required more pressure and precision than circular coin stamping. Producing billions of these coins required an orchestrated process with customized machinery and tooling.
Composition
The original 12-sided pound coins were made from a nickel-brass (cupronickel) alloy. The specific composition was:
- Copper – 70%
- Zinc – 24.5%
- Nickel – 5.5%
This combination made for a gold colored alloy that was hard and durable. It also produced a distinctive “brassy” sound when dropped. The coins were made from sheets rolled to an appropriate thickness before blanking.
Some of the later years’ pound coins switched to nickel-plated steel. This change helped reduce costs but also altered the feel and acoustic properties slightly. After plating, these harder and cheaper feeling nickel-plated steel coins remained dodecagonal and kept the same visual design.
Which Queen was Featured?
Queen Elizabeth II has been featured on all decimal pound coins since they began circulating in 1968. The dodecagonal pound coins all depicted Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse, or “heads” side of each coin.
There were five different portraits of the Queen used on the original dodecagonal pound coins over the years:
- 1983 – 1989 – Third portrait by Raphael Maklouf
- 1990 – 1997 – Fourth portrait by Rank-Broadley
- 1998 – 2015 – Fifth portrait by Ian Rank-Broadley
The Maklouf portrait was replaced in 1990 with the more current Rank-Broadley portrait. The Rank-Broadley portrait was itself replaced in 1998 with an updated version by the same artist.
Collectors took note of the portrait changes over the years. Subtle differences in portraits make earlier pound coins more desirable to some collectors.
Designs Featured on the Reverse
While Queen Elizabeth II featured on the front, a variety of different designs appeared on the reverse side of the coin over the decades it was minted.
Some notable reverse designs included:
- 1983 – 1984 – Royal Coat of Arms – The original design
- 1985 – 1996 – Floral Emblems of the UK’s 4 Constituent Countries
- 1997 – 1998 – Sir Isaac Newton Portrait
- 1999 – 2008 – British Royal Shields
- 2008 – 2016 – Sections of the Royal Shield
Designs aimed to symbolize important aspects of British culture, history, and institutions. The floral emblems and royal shields and arms designs proved particularly popular and durable. Subtle variations on these themes helped keep the coins fresh while retaining familiar elements.
Special Edition Designs
The Royal Mint periodically introduced special edition designs, often commemorating important events, anniversaries, or aspects of British culture. These included:
- 1993 – EC Presidency
- 1994 – Gateshead Garden Festival
- 1995 – United Nations 50th Anniversary
- 1996 – Football Euro Championships
- 1999 – Millennium
While retaining the distinctive dodecagonal shape, these special designs added numismatic interest for collectors. Special editions tended to have lower production runs, increasing collectability for those interested in pounds featuring unique reverse designs.
Edge Inscriptions
The edge of the 12-sided pound coins featured alternating milled and plain sections. Many coins also included an engraved inscription in the plain sections around the rim. Words, dates, or phrases acted as another anti-counterfeiting measure and commemorated events.
Notable edge inscriptions included:
- 1985 – 1994 – “ONE POUND”
- 1995 – 1997 – “DECUS ET TUTAMEN” / “ONE POUND”
- 1998 – “ONE POUND” / “STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS”
- 1999 – “ONE POUND” / “MIND YOUR PS AND QS”
The Latin “Decus et Tutamen” means “An ornament and a safeguard” referring to the function of the inscription itself. Other inscriptions were thematic for events such as the Newton or Millennium designs.
round Pound Transition
After over 30 years, advances in counterfeiting technology and threats from sophisticated fakes led to concerns about the security of the dodecagonal £1 coin. The Royal Mint conducted a review and worked with key stakeholders to create a new pound coin design that would be harder to counterfeit.
In March 2017, a new bi-metallic 12-sided pound coin replaced the previous design. This new coin had the following changes:
- Smaller diameter – 23.03 mm vs 22.5 mm
- Lighter weight – 8 grams vs 9.5 grams
- Latent image – changes between pound symbol and number 1 when viewed from different angles
- Micro-lettering – tiny letters on the lower inside rim
- Bimetallic – Outer nickel-brass and inner nickel-plated alloy
The old larger dodecagonal pounds remained legal tender and in circulation for a period. But as of October 2017, they can no longer be used and are now just valued for their silver content or collectability.
Collectability and Values
While no longer legally accepted, the old 12-sided pound coins are still widely collected and traded by coin dealers and collectors.
Important factors for collectability and value include:
- Low mintages – Examples like some 1999 Millennium coins
- Errors/varieties – Misstrikes, off-center, composition errors
- Condition – Prices are higher for coins in uncirculated condition
- Historic/thematic – Special editions are popular with some collectors
Here are typical price ranges for common dates in different conditions:
| Year | Circulated | Uncirculated |
| 1983-1984 | £2-3 | £4-6 |
| 1985-1996 | £1.50-2.50 | £3-5 |
| 1997-2008 | £1.25-2 | £2-4 |
Rarer coins or editions can fetch much higher prices. For example, a 2015 error version missing the Queen’s portrait sold for over £5000!
Many collectors seek to acquire full date runs of pound coins. Obtaining an example of each date requires hunting for keys dates that had lower mintages.
Conclusion
In summary, the dodecagonal British pound coin that circulated from 1983 to 2017 had 12 distinct sides. This unique shape was chosen by the Royal Mint to create a distinctive coin that was harder to counterfeit. Advanced security features included integrated portraits, microprinting, special engraving, and edge lettering.
The large hefty pound coin remained in circulation for over 30 years. But eventually advances in counterfeiting technology led to its replacement with a smaller, lighter, and more secure bimetallic version. While no longer valid currency, the old 12-sided coins remain collectable for many coin enthusiasts.
So in response to our original question “How many sides does an old pound coin have?”, the answer is 12. The dodecagonal shape gave the pound coin a distinctive size, feel, and design that thwarted counterfeiters and stood the test of time. Its unique shape literally gave it more sides to its story!