THE NEW pound coin is set to spark a collector’s item craze when it comes into circulation as from today. But which £1 coins will be worth the most?
The 12-sided coin is the first major redesign of the pound since it was first introduced more than 30 years ago.
The coin features a raft of new security features designed to prevent counterfeiting, including a hologram-style image on the front and micro-lettering on both sides.
Coin collectors are eagerly awaiting the “state-of-the-art” pound which will be released today, March 28. But will certain coins be worth more than others?
Yasmin Britton, product manager at The Westminster Collection, has said that the most wanted pounds will be ones minted this year.
“In terms of their collectability, like any new issues, collectors will be keen to own the very first design of any new coin,” she said.
“Pound coins with the 2017 date are likely to be more sought after – especially in good condition or uncirculated.”
Collectors should also keep hold of their old round pounds – which will disappear from circulation in October 2017.
There have been 25 designs of the old coin, and a full set could be worth much more than face value.
Ms Britton explained: “We think that having a complete collection of old pound coins – one of each 25 designs – will be great for collectors.
“Once the new 12-sided pound coin is introduced in March and the round pound coins completely disappear from circulation it will be almost impossible to complete a collection, as you won’t be able to find the old designs in your change.
SHOULD YOU KEEP YOUR OLD POUND COINS?
A full set of the old pound coins could be worth more than £80
“As with all coins, once they are no longer in circulation they become worth more as they are harder to find and therefore sought-after.”
A collection of 24 pound coins – missing the most recent 2016 design – recently sold for £80 on auction site eBay. “As with all coins, once they are no longer in circulation they become worth more as they are harder to find and therefore sought-after.”
A collection of 24 pound coins – missing the most recent 2016 design – recently sold for £80 on auction site eBay.
The Westminster Collection’s Change Checker blog has come up with a handy guide to which rare pound coins are worth the most individually.
A 2011 coin with an Edinburgh-themed design on the reverse is the most sought-after and can go for as much as £15 on eBay. Just 935,000 of the design were minted.
In comparison the most common design – the original 1983 royal coat of arms – had a run of more than 443 million coins and is not worth much more than £1.