One Penny coin - 1917 - George V

This Penny from 1917 is in better condition than some coins in my change today.

In 1917 there were 240 pence in one pound. Over one hundred million one penny coins were minted that year, a staggering volume even when compared to the year before and immediately after. As it is a pre-decimal coin, it can't be used anymore but is a nice addition to a collection.

Mintages from Wiki

There are plenty of these coins around so value is low. Condition is everything for a coin like this. At One hundred and one years old, I am amazed by the quality of the detail that remains. A bit of lustre adds to the character and the fine condition of the rim makes it seem like this coin was taken out of circulation early in its life, it looks better than many new coins that I see.

King George V was monarch

From 1910 until 1936 George V was king. In 1917 he changed the name of the royal family to Windsor. The world was in the grip of war and the decision to change the royal name was a popular one.

King George V One Penny coin with good detail

Britannia is a symbol to represent Britain

The reverse of the coin is Britannia, a familiar figure if you use British money. Britannia first appeared on coins issued by Emperor Hadrian who was born in AD76.

Britannia is a bit worn but this war-time coin is full of character

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For me this coin is a keeper, it is the best I have seen. So unless a better example of a 1917 one penny coin turns up I'll keep this one. You certainly won't find one in your change.

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I wonder if a 50 pence coin can really be worth more than 50p

This heptagonal design certainly gets some attention. The 50p coin hunt is a phenomenon with stories appearing daily and the internet full of sensational headlines. Every day I read about a coin with a high price tag and I wonder why. I understand the desire to complete the sets and to own all the variants, but the artistic value of the coins should be celebrated too. On the assumption that they are worth no more than their face value, I have selected two 50 pence coin designs that I personally admire.


Can coins like this really turn up in your change? 

The Battle of Britain 50 pence, don’t be fooled this is a 2015 coin.

2011 WWF 50 pence coin, turning up less often as years pass. 

Of course they can. My motto is "if you like it, keep it". So I can call it saving, not hoarding.

Some designs are rarer than others

There have been many different 50 pence coins designs since 1997 when it was introduced. Prior to that the 50 pence coin was a bit larger. Collecting them is great fun and the variety of artistry available is wide ranging, there are over 75 different designs in circulation.

When it comes to coins, the Royal mint are the masters who create the buzz which then filters down to enthusiasts. The method of producing new coins to commemorate events and historical dates is a genius strategy. The ability to determine the mintage volume means that the mint can create demand and control supply. This is not just about uncirculated coins for collectors, but also the change in your pocket. A great example is the “2009 Kew Gardens 50p”, it is a beautiful coin with a reverse design by Christopher Le Brun RA. There were a mere 210k* minted, when compared to other 50 pence coins this is very low and it has undoubtedly made this the most scarce. The Kew Gardens 50p is the one to chase if rarity and value are your priorities.

Next time you see a 50 pence coin, will you wonder if it could be worth more?

I would love to know what your favourite 50p design is, leave a comment to let me know. I would also really like to know if anyone has actually sold a circulating 50p coin for more than face value.

*Mintage figures from www.royalmint.com

How can I get a good example?

- keep the first you find

- inspect it for condition

- wait until you find more

- keep comparing for condition

- make sure to keep an eye out for anything unusual (errors etc.)

1 Liard - Johann-Theodor of Bavaria 1745

This coin is over 200 years old but is regarded as common.

My news feed shows me stories every day about rare coins that are for sale at surprisingly high prices. Many are UK coins that are in circulation and have no age at all. My post I wonder if a 50 pence coin can really be worth more than 50p talks a bit about this.

I suppose I do perceive old coins as being valuable, but it really does depend on many factors. When researching coins, you quite quickly get a feel for this. If millions of coins were produced it is likely that many still survive today, and you won't have any trouble finding them. 

You do need to know what you are looking at, being familiar with all types of coins is almost impossible. If you see something unusual or that you like the look of, that's great. If you see something with a high asking price I suggest taking a brutal approach to determining why. I ask myself: