All you need to know about the new 12-sided £1 Coin Collector Editions

The Royal Mint have released 1.4 billion brand new £1 coins into circulation in what is the single biggest change to the UK’s coinage since decimalisation.

It is, of course, a much anticipated day for coin collectors keen to own one of the first coins. But with enough £1 coins entering circulation for everyone in the population to own more than £20’s worth, the standard circulation coin will be two a penny – well at least two a pound.

That’s why serious collectors are looking to mark this numismatic milestone with something a bit more special – one of the collector editions being released by The Royal Mint, several of which have edition limits that seem certain to sell out quickly.

Here’s your guide to the most collectable versions of the new 12-sided £1 coin.

Perfect Quality. Very Affordable.

nations of the crown certified bu pack - All you need to know about the new 12-sided £1 Coin Collector Editions

2017 UK Nations of the Crown CERTIFIED BU £1

Of course, quality is everything for coin collectors, which is why The Royal Mint is producing a collector quality base metal version of the new 12-sided £1 coin. Unlike the coins you’ll find in your change, these pieces have been specially struck and carefully handled to ensure that they remain free of the scratches and chips found amongst their circulating counterparts.

Known as Brilliant Uncirculated (BU), they are available for £9.99 in a Royal Mint Presentation Pack or £5.99 in a Change Checker Certified Brilliant Uncirculated Collector Card.

Silver Proof – the Collector’s Favourite

nations of the crown 1 pound silver proof obverse reverse - All you need to know about the new 12-sided £1 Coin Collector Editions

UK 2017 New 12 Sided Silver Proof £1

Perhaps the most important of the Collector Editions is the Silver Proof £1 Coin. Silver Proof coins have all of the qualities that collectors really desire.

  • Precious metal content – struck from 925/1000 Sterling Silver with 24 Carat Gold-plate to create the outer ring.
  • Strict Limited Edition – just 25,000 individual coins. That’s HALF the number of Silver Proof £1 Coins that were issued for the original Round £1 Coin in 1983.
  • Perfect Proof Finish – even better than Brilliant Uncirculated, Proof coins are struck several times using specially polished dies to create a flawless finish with a perfect mirrored background and frosted design. The ultimate in coin quality.

Double the thickness. More than five times as limited.

nations of the crown silver proof piedfort 1 pound coin flat comparison - All you need to know about the new 12-sided £1 Coin Collector Editions

UK 2017 New 12 Sided Silver Piedfort £1

For silver collectors looking for something even more collectable, the double thickness Piedfort edition is likely to be the first of the £1 sell-outs.

That’s because collectors not only own a rare double-thickness new £1 coin but there are just 4,5000 of them – less than five times the maximum mintage for the standard £1 silver proof. 

The Gold Standard

nations of the crown gold proof 1 pound obverse reverse - All you need to know about the new 12-sided £1 Coin Collector Editions

UK 2017 New 12 Sided Gold Proof £1

For the ultimate limited edition, you can own the Gold Proof £1 Coin. Struck from 22 Carat Gold with a red gold outer ring, just 2,017 single coins have been authorised for issue.

Due to its very limited nature, we will contact you directly to discuss owning the Gold Proof £1 Coin if you are interested – please complete the form below.

Sign up here if you would like to be contacted about the Gold edition:


selection - All you need to know about the new 12-sided £1 Coin Collector Editions

If you’re interested…

You can own one of the special Collector Edition 12-Sided £1 Coins today, click here to view the full range.

New pound coin enters production…

The new 12-sided pound coin has gone into production today – a year before it will reach circulating change and the pockets of the public…

The new 12-sided pound coin gone into production today – a year before it will reach circulating change and the palms of keen collectors.

The coins have started rolling off the production line at a rate of more than 4,000 a minute as Chancellor George Osborne announced they will enter circulation in March 2017.

The current £1 will be replaced after more than 30 years due to its vulnerability to counterfeiters – approximately one in every 30 £1 coins in circulation is now a counterfeit. The Government have claimed that the new coin, which was announced at Budget 2014, is going to be the world’s most secure coin in circulation.

When the new coin is introduced, there will be a six-month crossover period when the current round pound coins and the new pound coins are both in circulation at the same time.

While the shape of the new coin will evoke the pre-decimalisation period, it masks cutting-edge anti-forgery technology. The Royal Mint says the new pound will combine three features to make it the most secure coin in the world. It uses two colours of metal, has 12 sides and includes the Royal Mint’s anti-counterfeiting technology, adapted from banknotes and embedded in coins for the first time.

The Royal Mint will work with businesses during the introduction phase of the new coin and an awareness and education campaign is planned to help ensure a smooth transition to launch next year.

To find out more about the new £1 coin and its design – click here


If you’re interested…imagegen 6 - New pound coin enters production...

You can add a truly vintage British coin to your collection – the very coin that inspired the new £1 coin design – the King George VI Thrup’nny Bit.

Click here to find out more

Take a look at the history of the British crown coin…

Discover the journey of the crown coin and how it became the UK’s flagship £5 commemorative coin

blog infographic idea amends 5 011 - Take a look at the history of the British crown coin...

For more information about the history of the crown coin click here.

Click here to download your own printable version of The History of the Crown Coin.