Coin Info
Spot the difference! Variations in the 12 sided £1 explained
Since their introduction in 2017, a common query we get is people asking about variations in their 12 sided £1 coins.
Having read David Groom’s fascinating articles in Coin News Magazine, we’ve found the key facts which explain these variations, what to look for, and why they might have occurred.
We know that of the 1.75 billion 12 sided £1 coins struck for circulation between 2016 and 2022, roughly half a billion are dated 2016.
Of course, having such a high mintage figure must lead to varieties in design and quality of striking, however in the Coin News examination of just 40 randomly selected 12 sided £1 coins, an extraordinary number of varieties appeared…
Edges
Perhaps the most talked about variation with the 12 sided £1 is the milling on the edge of the coin, with ‘lefties’ being a common error in the milling process.
Obverses
Groom’s article suggested four clear variations can be found on the obverse of the coin, including the position of the design and text.
Reverses
Groom also highlighted the four clear features of difference on the reverses of the £1 coins.
Misalignment
One of the most common variations seems to be misalignment of the coins, particularly where the outer and inner sections do not align properly.
Dates
We’ve spoken before in our blog about the dual-dated £1 coins, with one such coin being valued at £3,000. Groom also mentions that many examples of the 2016 pound coin have the date numbers very poorly struck, making the date hard to read.
Royal Mint Trial Coins
Trial coins are issued when new coin specifications are being tested, but they should not enter circulation. These coins feature the words ‘The Royal Mint’ and ‘Trial Piece’.
Back in 2018, a 2015 dated trial 12-sided £1 coin sold on eBay for a whopping £500! However, looking at eBay listing in 2025, these coins are selling for much more reasonable prices, with the exception of a 2014 trial coin which sold for £235.
Whilst there are clearly a number of variations to be found in the 12 sided £1 coins, Coin News suggests that these may arise from off centre striking, or be due to the different characteristics from the two metals of the bimetallic coin.
Have you found an interesting variation in any 12-sided £1 coins you’ve found? Let us know in the comments!
– Credit ‘Up close, the new 12 sided £1 coin’ – David Groom, Coin News, April and May 2018
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The UK’s most popular A-Z 10p coin revealed…
The new A-Z 10p coins have proved some of the hardest coins to find in your change. Whilst that will hopefully become easier as more are gradually released into circulation over the coming months, we’ve taken a first look at which are the most popular with collectors.
There’s not enough data yet to publish a full scarcity index but we have crunched the numbers based on Change Checker’s top swap requests – and here are the winners.
1. A – Angel of the North
2. E – English Breakfast
3. L – Loch Ness
The Top 3 coins most requested to swap.
Further releases expected…
Initially, a limited stock of 2.6 million A-Z 10p coins were released into circulation through the Post Office network to coincide with the release of the designs in March. It has been no surprise that these have been quickly snapped up by eagle-eyed change collectors.
However, don’t despair if you haven’t found any of the A-Z 10p coins yet. More are expected to be released into circulation as and when there is demand for more circulating 10p coins. This is something that’s managed between Treasury (and not the Royal Mint) and the large cash processors, including the Post Office, some banks, as well as private operators (find out more in our “When will I find and A to Z 10p in my change” blog).
In addition, there have been a number of limited releases, including “T” at Betty’s Tea Rooms, “F” in 20 of the UK’s top chippies and “B” at the Bond in Motion exhibition – as well as our own Change Checker Live 10p Lucky Dips, with more of our live events coming up on the 8th of September in Croydon and the 20th of October in Bristol.
Don’t worry, though, as soon as we hear any more news about more the A-Z 10p coins entering circulation, Change Checkers will be the very first to know.
In the meantime, you can view the full A-Z 10p Swap Index below for your guide as to which letters have proved most popular with collectors.
* Compiled from Change Checker App data and accurate as of 15/06/18.
Complete your A-Z 10p Collection
You can now complete your collection of all 26 A-Z of Great Britain 10p coins in Certified Early Strike quality.
Straight from darkest Peru and into your pocket, the nation’s favourite bear is finally on sale!
Earlier this year, we announced the exciting news that the UK’s incredibly popular Beatrix Potter 50p coins are to be followed up by two new Paddington™ 50 pence coins.
It’s now with great anticipation that we can reveal the first Paddington coin has been officially released!
Celebrating the very British bear
The coins have been issued to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Paddington’s first adventure and this first design is based on the modern adaptation from the CGI-live action movie, featuring Paddington on his suitcase in front of the station and excitingly, one more Paddington 50p coin will also be released by The Royal Mint later this year and this coin will feature the bear waving a Union Flag outside Buckingham Palace.
Of course fans of the movie Paddington 2, will also remember a 50p coin playing an important part in his adventure.
Not the first Paddington coin…
Whilst this is not the first time Paddington has appeared on a coin, it is his first time appearing on official UK coinage.
The nation’s loveable bear has previously featured on 1 crown (25p) coins from both Isle of Man and Gibraltar – now listed for as much £30 on eBay.
Due to the popularity of these coins, and the whole new generation of collectors created by the Beatrix Potter 50ps, it is expected that these coins will be extremely sought-after by collectors and Paddington fans alike.
These coins will be available in Brilliant Uncirculated collector’s edition, with coloured Silver and even Gold versions also being made available.
Paddington at the Station 50p, now available to own!
You can now own the FIRST EVER UK 2018 Paddington 50p Coin in superior collector quality.