Johnny 1989 Posted April 2, 2008 Report Share Posted April 2, 2008 Well since the announcement in November 2005 that new desgins would be on there way we have been waiting to see them and they definately are different Background & History As a powerful symbol of royal authority the Royal Arms, in its various forms, has featured on the coinage of almost every monarch since the reign of Edward III (1327-77). Coins were, and still are, issued under the personal authority of the monarch and came to be regarded as vehicles for royal imagery, whether in the form of a portrait or a monarch’s personal Coat of Arms. As heraldry itself started to grow as a symbol of royal identity, it was a natural progression for it to appear on the coinage. It is not surprising then that Matthew Dent, the winning designer, chose the Royal Arms, and in particular the shield of the Royal Arms, as the theme for his innovative range of new designs, with all four quarters spread over the six coins from the 1p to the 50p. Completing the new range of coins is the £1 coin featuring the shield of the Royal Arms in its entirety, uniting the six fragmented elements into one design. The process of choosing the new designs to replace the familiar heraldic emblems on Britain’s circulating coins began with a public competition which generated more than 4,000 designs from over 500 people - the largest response to any public competition organised to change the British coinage. Matthew Dent, a professional graphic designer, had seen the competition advertised in one of the national newspapers and he threw himself wholeheartedly into the project. In seeking to spread a single design across six denominations, Matthew Dent conceived an idea that has never been realised before on the British coinage. Against all the odds, a young artist has won a public competition and devised a stunningly original series that stands as an imaginative and clever solution. What do we think then? Certainly original, I kind of like them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hertfordian Posted April 2, 2008 Report Share Posted April 2, 2008 Well they're certainly better than I thought they'd be! :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeOldeCollector Posted April 2, 2008 Report Share Posted April 2, 2008 They look OK I guess, but still, I think they could be better! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NumisMattic2200 Posted April 2, 2008 Report Share Posted April 2, 2008 Hmm to me it seems there is only really the one design of the shield or coat of arms - with the others being all zoomed-in portions of the same design? It's certainly a novel new look, different...but I'm not sure how long it will last.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny 1989 Posted April 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2008 Hmm to me it seems there is only really the one design of the shield or coat of arms - with the others being all zoomed-in portions of the same design? Correct, they are all portions of the design used on the £1 coin It's certainly a novel new look, different...but I'm not sure how long it will last.. After looking at them several times I have to agree. There rather unique in a sense but how long before there are burning placard demanding the return of Britannia (even though you'll still be able to get coins with her on in circulation for years yet). If anything I think they'll put Britannia on the £2 coin in a few years time anyway. I think the £1, 10p & 2p look best, the 5p isn't too bad either but the 1p & 20p seem to have the plainest design of the lot. However I still like them, better than the usual run of the mill kind of design at the do stand out at least. However I think once Charlie/William get to the throne there will be a complete overhaul of them again as you cant really change one design & not the rest as you will then have a "portion" missing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeOldeCollector Posted April 2, 2008 Report Share Posted April 2, 2008 Hmm to me it seems there is only really the one design of the shield or coat of arms - with the others being all zoomed-in portions of the same design? Certainly looks like it... Oh well, perhaps we should resort to the simple Medieval cross... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
De Orc Posted April 2, 2008 Report Share Posted April 2, 2008 Other than the fact that Wales is not represented on them I think they look rather nice. I am though dissapointed that we were once more forgoten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delta Posted April 2, 2008 Report Share Posted April 2, 2008 I know the Royal Mint have striking problems but trying to hide them though design is just not on My view is Meh! Its an innovative implementation of a dull idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeOldeCollector Posted April 2, 2008 Report Share Posted April 2, 2008 I find it stoopid that Wales aren't represented, after all, the Mint is in Wales... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tabbs Posted April 2, 2008 Report Share Posted April 2, 2008 Interesting that the designer is so young - 26 years old. And I do like the idea of a £1 coin that has the complete Royal Arms while the penny/pence denominations show various parts of it. What I am just wondering about is: These new designs look very good for a one-time (commem style) issue. But considering that most designs of the current series have been used for so many years ... would the British want to see these designs for a similarly long period of time? Christian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeOldeCollector Posted April 2, 2008 Report Share Posted April 2, 2008 "The current coin designs will remain in circulation and as legal tender for the foreseeable future." I think they're here to stay, not sure if they'd still mint some commems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TreasureGirl Posted April 2, 2008 Report Share Posted April 2, 2008 Oh, dear... I just don't know if I like those. Time will tell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delta Posted April 2, 2008 Report Share Posted April 2, 2008 The more I look at them the more I dislike them. Bring on the Euro! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tabbs Posted April 2, 2008 Report Share Posted April 2, 2008 The more I look at them the more I dislike them. Well, I decided that I need to take an even closer look. So I just ordered them (base metal set) a few minutes ago - a tad expensive at £9.95 but then again shipping (even UK->DE) is free. Das ist gut, hehe. Bring on the Euro! Sigh ... Christian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedeadpoint Posted April 2, 2008 Report Share Posted April 2, 2008 I love them. They look so cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delta Posted April 2, 2008 Report Share Posted April 2, 2008 I bought myself a set too. I was going to order more £5 coins for spending but they must have taken them off last night! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tabbs Posted April 2, 2008 Report Share Posted April 2, 2008 Here is a nice promo/info film from the Royal Mint: http://www.royalmint.com/newdesigns/videoClips.aspx Surprise - everybody involved seems to like the new designs. Christian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breezy Posted April 2, 2008 Report Share Posted April 2, 2008 I like the idea and the overall design, but only when viewed as a set. I don't think the individual coins work. For example if you look at the penny coin in isolation you would think what on earth is up with that??? Looks like a mint error where they have tried to stamp a large design on a small planchet. Just my opinion!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breezy Posted April 2, 2008 Report Share Posted April 2, 2008 The more I look at them the less I like them. The ten pence and two pence are ok as individual designs but the others just don't work for me. As for the pound, we've already had that design albeit with a crown on top!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny 1989 Posted April 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2008 Some of the comments on MSN Money are ridiculous, ranging from "dumbing down of the British Identity" to "waste of Tax money they should spend more on the health service,etc. " What people forget is that new coins are minted every year anyway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henare Posted April 2, 2008 Report Share Posted April 2, 2008 i really like 'em, but i suspect they may be an april fool's joke one day late ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roaddevil Posted April 2, 2008 Report Share Posted April 2, 2008 well it has its own kind of charm...but only good for a little while...it gets boring seeing parts of a jigsaw puzzle as currency over and over...so for the short run...wow nice design...but for the long run (except the one pound...kinda like that plain look on it ) its a dull design however a brilliant idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeOldeCollector Posted April 2, 2008 Report Share Posted April 2, 2008 i suspect they may be an april fool's joke one day late ... I doubt it as they're for sale on their site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny 1989 Posted April 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2008 I've just noticed that th edesign on the 50p is the other way up (the point at the bottom instead of the top), does this mean the obverse will the reverse way up as well or will it remain the same way up? I ordered the double pack (last of the old, first of the new) for £19.90, may split the single pack old style one to put in my albums, not sure yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delta Posted April 2, 2008 Report Share Posted April 2, 2008 Well spotted! did not see that myself. I wonder how this will be handled with future commemoratives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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