There are several higher value coins in existence that do not typically circulate, such as the five pound coin known as a crown. Circulating denominations today range from one penny to two pounds. The shilling was not preserved as a unit of value. ![]() Upon decimalization, the pound was redefined as being 100 pence. Originally, the pound was equated to 20 shillings, itself 12 pence. In 1971, the denominations of value represented by United Kingdom coins fundamentally changed due to the adoption of decimalization. After World War II, the UK moved to a copper-nickel alloy and abandoned silver altogether except for commemorative editions and proofs. The initial replacement used for the missing silver was manganese, which resulted in a deep brown tarnish accruing during circulation. ![]() One of the most significant changes to the composition of United Kingdom coins occurred in 1920 when the government transitioned coins to contain only 50 percent silver, down from the previous standard of 92.5 percent. Chief among these was the depiction of Britannia, a mythological figure considered to be the embodiment of Great Britain who has appeared on British coins continuously since 1672. Until the most recent redesign in 2008, coins of the United Kingdom followed the general pattern of featuring the bust of the current monarch on the obverse with various heraldic devices from the components of the United Kingdom on the reverse. English denominations continued to be followed with the pound system maintaining its influence. United Kingdom's coinage officially began in 1709 when the kingdoms of England and Scotland fused. United States Walking Liberty Half Dollars. ![]()
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