Coinage

[einsteinsdog]

Why does this country change its coins so often ? It seems every year a new one is introduced or one withdrawn (includung notes) Other countries dont seem to do this so much . I have a hunch its to stop hoarding under the bed but is there more to it ?

[CheekyChops]

Which country are you talking about and which coins? In the UK the last coin I remember being introduced is the �2 coin but that was years ago! The �5 is proidcued every now and again to commemorate a special occasion.

The notes have all been changed in the last 10 years or so and shouldn't be changed again for a while.

[Buenchico]

I'm also confused as to which country Einsteinsdog is writing about. (If you post on a UK site people tend to assume that you're in the UK unless you state otherwise).

The UK hasn't withdrawn any coins from circulation since the demise of the half (new) penny. New coins are constantly needed so the design on them changes from time to time to celebrate different anniversaries, etc. Bank notes wear out very quickly (a �5 note lasts about 9 months) so the opportunity to change note designs comes round even more often.

Chris

[kempie]

With regard to demonetisation (removal of coins from circulation) the last three coins to be so in the UK were because of changes in physical size - 50p in 1998, 10p in 1993 and 5p in 1990.

http://www.royalmint.gov.uk/RoyalMint/web/site/Corporate/Corp_british_coinage/Demonetisation.asp?menuID=-1&MenuItemID=48&MenuType=PAGE

[einsteinsdog]

OK the question was confusing, so Ill rephrase it. Do we change our coinage more often than other countries?

How long has the dollar , dime franc etc been in the same format?

[kempie]

1st January 1999 saw 11 European countries ditch their coins and notes when they adopted the Euro. Greece followed suit in 2001 and the Euro is now the official currency in 31 states and territories.

[THECORBYLOON]

There are many versions of coins in circulation. There are- 25p coins four versions; 50p six versions; �1 12 versions; �2 15 versions and 16 versions of the �5 coins

Five coins and 53 different designs between them. Is it any wonder there are so many fakes about?

[kempie]

25p coins?

[THECORBYLOON]

kempie the 25p coin is the Decimal version of the 5 bob crown and there are four versions. Since 1990 the term "crown" has been applied to the �5 coin. The 25p coin is legal tender to the amount of �10

[kempie]

TCL - I queried the inclusion of the 25p Crown because I haven't seen any since around 1974? and mistakenly assumed (never assume!) that they had been demonetised since they do not figure in the list of estimated number of coins in circulation. Investigating my own link further shows that the last issue was in 1981.