Royal Mint presses last batch of ‘round pound’ coins

The last of the “round pound” coins are rolling off the presses in December, making way for their new-look replacement.

Royal Mint coin press setter John Jones handles unminted one pound coins which will become some of the final coins to be produced in its circular shape. Picture: PA

Replacing £1 notes, the coins were first launched on 21 April 1983 – the Queen’s birthday – and pound coins dating back to that year can still be found in people’s change today.

From early 2017, a new 12-sided £1 coin will be brought into circulation. More than 2.2 billion circulating round £1 coins have been struck.