The E-Sylum:  Volume 8, Number 36, August 21, 2005, Article 9

U.K. COINAGE REDESIGN PLANNED

A redesign is planned for coins of the United Kingdom.
Here are excerpts from recent articles in The Telegraph
and The Guardian:

"The Royal Mint has announced plans to redesign six coins
in an attempt to better reflect modern Britain.

An open competition has been launched to find new designs
for the tails side of the 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p and 50p coins,
with a prize of £30,000 up for grabs."

"It is the first time the designs on five of the coins have been
altered since they were prepared for decimalisation in 1971."

To read the full story, see: Full Story

"The existing profile of the Queen's head is being retained,
but the Mint believes that the Prince of Wales' feathers on the
2p piece and the thistle on the 5p piece no longer reflect modern
Britain. It is launching a competition to find new designs for six
of the eight coins in circulation.

Anti-euro campaigners believe that the decision to launch a new
series of coins shows that the Treasury has no plans for Britain
to sign up to the European single currency.

Neil O'Brien, of the Vote No campaign, said: "I don't think
anybody believes there is any prospect of us joining the euro
in the foreseeable future. Today's announcement shows
institutions are planning on that basis."

But the Treasury said the redesign was independent of any
decision to join the euro."

"The current coin designs are the longest-lasting since Queen
Victoria's era. The designs for the 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p and 50p
are by Christopher Ironside and were introduced in 1971."

To read the full story, see: Full Story

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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