It has been 50 years since the changeover in Britain to decimal currency. A huge undertaking, that prompted people to collect the pre-decimal coins that Britain was losing. But what about the very first decimal coins?
Our Product of the Month for September brings them all together with a very special addition. Here, we take a closer look at The Queen Elizabeth II 1971-2021 Decimalisation 50th Anniversary Set – Mint State.
First Year Issue
Although 15th February 1971 officially marked “Decimal Day”, as it came to be known, three of the decimal coins that we know today were released prior to this, to get the British public used to the oncoming changeover.
The half-pence, one penny, and two pence were all released in 1971. However, the five pence and ten pence were released three years earlier in 1968, with the fifty pence coming one year later, in 1969.
All six decimal coins in this set are from their first year of issue.
Independently Graded
As you can imagine, it has been quite a task to go through the literally hundreds of uncirculated coins of these particular years, and pick the best. But having done so, the Professional Coin Grading Service, or PCGS as it is commonly known, has then graded these coins for us.
They have been awarded the designation MINT STATE, meaning that each coin has been rated at either 65 or 66 points out of 70. All of the coins have been sealed air-tight, and slabbed to preserve them for the future.
A Special Addition
As if six coins graded Mint State by the PCGS was not enough, this set also includes the brand new British 2021 Fifty Pence in solid sterling silver.
A luxury version of this coin was minted, which is double the thickness. Only 2,500 of these were minted and one of them is included in this set. This coin is the highest grade possible, with the PCGS giving it an award of 70 points out of 70.
Our Product of the Month for September is the perfect way to remember and celebrate the first decimal coins, and you can order yours HERE.
