British circulating · Storage guide
Best storage options for £1 and £2 coins
Collectors of commemorative British coinage often want to protect the round £1, the 12-sided £1 and the £2. The older round £1 is 22.5 mm and frames well in a 22 mm capsule.
£1 round coin (22.5 mm)
Pound coins specifications, designs and mintages
Every figure links to its source. Primary sources are mint publications and Freedom of Information responses. Secondary sources are Wikipedia, catalogues and dealers, used only where no primary figure is published. Where sources disagree we show both.
Specifications and the capsule that fits
| Size | Years | Diameter | Thickness | Weight | Fineness | Capsule | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round £1 | 1983 to 2016 | 22.50 mm | — | 9.5 g | Nickel-brass | T-22 black ring | [1][2] |
| 12-sided £1 | 2016 onwards | 23.43 mm | 2.8 mm | 8.75 g | Bimetallic: nickel-brass outer ring, nickel-plated inner | Use the finder | [1][3] 23.43mm point to point, 23.03mm flat to flat. One collector measured 3.03 to 3.1mm at the rim against the published 2.8mm. |
Designs
| Year | Design | Designer | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 to 1984 | Obverse portrait of Elizabeth II | Arnold Machin | [1] |
| 1983 | Royal Arms, representing the United Kingdom | — | [1] |
| 1984 | Thistle and royal diadem, representing Scotland | — | [1] |
Key facts and key dates
- The round £1 was first issued on 21 April 1983 and lost legal tender status at midnight on 15 October 2017. [1]
- The 12-sided £1 was introduced on 28 March 2017, followed by six months in which both coins circulated together. [1]
- There were 46 different round £1 coins, 5 of them only available in sets: 1998, 1999, the 2015 and 2016 shields and the 2016 last round pound. [4]
- The first round pound, dated 1983, had a circulation mintage of 443,053,510. [5]
Download this data as a spreadsheet: pound-coins.csv
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What size capsule fits the Pound coins?
The Pound coins comes in these sizes and matching capsules: £1 round coin (22.5 mm). Match the capsule’s inside diameter to your coin.
What is the best way to store a Pound coins?
The current 12-sided £1 and the bi-metallic £2 are larger and thicker; measure before ordering, as the shaped edge can affect fit. A PVC-free acrylic capsule, either direct fit or black ring, protects the coin from handling, dust and air.
Still measuring up? Try the capsule finder to match your coin in a couple of clicks, browse the coin size guide by diameter, or filter the full capsule range by size and holder type. Buy 20 of any capsule and a matching storage tube is added free.
Browse more guides on the storage guides index.