What would YOU put on a £1 coin?

Monday 07 January 2019

Rose, leek, thistle and shamrock could be replaced by cows, potatoes or an iconic Jersey landmark on pound coins after the UK Treasury invited the island to mint its own design.

New pound coins were introduced in 2017. Replacing the old circular design, the new coins now feature 12 sides and are said to be the most secure coins in the world.

Each coin currently features a rose, leek and thistle to represent the four nations of the UK – England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland – even though they are currently in use in other jurisdictions, such as the Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories, such as Gibraltar and the British Virgin Islands. 

UK Ministers are therefore now giving these other jurisdictions the opportunity to create a coin that better represents their heritage with the same security benefits. 

Pictured: The current design on the back of the coins represents the UK's four nations.

Robert Jenrick, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, commented: “The Great British pound is internationally recognised and as we extend the new £1 coin to our territories and dependencies, we will see new designs emerge that together symbolise our shared history.

“In the same way that the rose, leek, thistle and shamrock are used on our coin to represent the four nations of the UK, these new designs will reflect the rich and varying British communities across the world.

“From the Falklands to Gibraltar, this move sends a clear message of our unshakeable commitment to our territories around the globe.

Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for the Overseas Territories, added: “This is an exciting opportunity for our currency to reflect the breadth and variety of the British Territories. Each will be able to create a design that reflects their own distinctive heritage as part of the British family. As well as helping to boost their identity, these new coins will also bring increased security to each of these economies.”

A States of Jersey spokesperson told Express that it was too soon to make any decisions on whether Jersey will produce its own design.

Got a quirky idea for Jersey's £1 coin? Tell Express all about it! Email editor@bailiwickexpress.com.