Penny (British pre-decimal coin)

For the current decimal British one penny coin, see Penny (British decimal coin). For silver pennies produced after 1820, see Maundy money.

One old penny

United Kingdom
Value	1d
Mass	(Bronze) 9.4 g
Diameter	(Bronze) 31 mm
Edge	Plain
Composition	(1707–1796) Silver (1797–1859) Copper (1860–1970) Bronze
Years of minting	1707–1970
Obverse
Design	Profile of the monarch (Elizabeth II design shown)
Reverse
Design	Britannia
Designer	Leonard Charles Wyon
Design date	1936

The British pre-decimal penny was a denomination of sterling coinage worth 1⁄240 of one pound or 1⁄12 of one shilling. Its symbol was d, from the Roman denarius. It was a continuation of the earlier English penny, and in Scotland it had the same monetary value as one pre-1707 Scottish shilling. The penny was originally minted in silver, but from the late 18th century it was minted in copper, and then after 1860 in bronze.

The plural of "penny" is "pence" (often added as an unstressed suffix) when referring to an amount of money, and "pennies" when referring to a number of coins. Thus 8d is eightpence or eight pence, but "eight pennies" means specifically eight individual penny coins.

Before Decimal Day in 1971, sterling used the Carolingian monetary system (£sd), under which the largest unit was a pound (£) divisible into 20 shillings (s), each of 12 pence (d).

The pre-decimal penny was demonetised on 1 September 1971, just over six months after decimalisation, and replaced (in effect) by the decimal half new penny, with +1⁄2p being worth 1.2d.

History

The kingdoms of England and Scotland were merged by the 1707 Act of Union, to form the Kingdom of Great Britain. The exchange rate between £1 Scots and £1 sterling had been fixed at 12:1 since the Union of the Crowns in 1603, and in 1707 Scots currency ceased to be legal tender, with sterling to be used throughout Great Britain. The penny replaced the Scots shilling.

The design and specifications of the sterling penny were unchanged by unification, and it continued to be minted in silver after 1707. Queen Anne's reign saw pennies minted in 1708, 1709, 1710 and 1713. These issues, however, were not for general circulation, instead being minted as Maundy money. The prohibitive cost of minting silver coins had meant the size of pennies had been reduced over the years, with the minting of silver pennies for general circulation being halted in 1660.

The practice of minting pennies only for Maundy money continued through the reigns of George I and George II, and into that of George III. However, by George III's reign there was a shortage of pennies such that a great many merchants and mining companies issued their own copper tokens e.g. the Parys Mining Company on Anglesey issued huge numbers of tokens (although their acceptability was strictly limited).

In 1797, the government authorised Matthew Boulton to strike copper pennies and twopences at his Soho Mint in Birmingham. At the time it was believed that the face value of a coin should correspond to the value of the material it was made from, so they had respectively to contain one or two pence worth of copper (for a penny this worked out to be one ounce of copper). This requirement meant that the coins would be significantly larger than the silver pennies minted previously. The large size of the coins, combined with the thick rim where the inscription was incuse i.e. punched into the metal rather than standing proud of it, led to the coins being nicknamed "cartwheels". These pennies were minted over the course of several years, but all are marked with the date 1797.

19th century

By 1802, the production of privately issued provincial tokens had ceased. However, in the next ten years the intrinsic value of copper rose. The return of privately minted token coinage was evident by 1811 and endemic by 1812, as more and more of the government-issued copper coinage was melted down. The Royal Mint undertook a massive recoinage programme in 1816, with large quantities of gold and silver coin being minted. To thwart the further issuance of private token coinage, in 1817 an Act of Parliament was passed which forbade the manufacture of private token coinage under very severe penalties. Copper coins continued to be minted after 1797, through the reigns of George III, George IV and William IV, and the early reign of Queen Victoria. These later coins were smaller than the cartwheel pennies of 1797, and contained a smaller amount of copper.

In 1857 a survey by the Royal Mint found that around one third of all copper coinage was worn or mutilated, often by advertisements. Two years later Thomas Graham, the Master of the Mint, convinced William Ewart Gladstone, then Chancellor of the Exchequer, that so large a part of the copper coinage must be taken out of circulation that it was worth introducing a whole new coinage which would be "much more convenient and agreeable in use". These new coins were minted in bronze, and their specifications were no longer constrained by the onerous requirement that their face value should match the value of the base metal used to make the coin. They were introduced in 1860 and a year later the withdrawal of the old copper coinage began.

20th century

The specifications of the bronze version of the penny were a mass of 9.45 g (0.333 oz) and a diameter of 30.86 mm (1.215 in), and remained as such for over a hundred years. Pennies were minted every year of Queen Victoria's reign, and every year of Edward VII's reign. George V pennies were produced every year to the same standard until 1922, but after a three-year gap in production the alloy composition was changed to 95.5% copper, 3% tin and 1.5% zinc, although the weight and size remained unchanged (which was necessary because of the existence by then of large numbers of coin-operated amusement machines and public telephones). Thereafter, pennies were minted every year for the remainder of George V's reign, although only six or seven 1933 coins were minted, specifically for the king to lay under the foundation stones of new buildings; one of these coins was stolen when a church in Leeds was demolished in the 1960s, and its whereabouts is unknown.

A few pennies of Edward VIII exist, dated 1937, but technically they are pattern coins i.e. coins produced for official approval, which it would probably have been due to receive about the time that the King abdicated.

Pennies were not minted every year of George VI's reign: None was minted in 1941, 1942 and 1943. Pennies minted in 1950 and 1951 were for overseas use only. One 1952 penny, believed to be unique, was struck by the Royal Mint.

The worldwide shortage of tin during the Second World War caused a change in the alloy in 1944 to 97% copper, 0.5% tin, 2.5% zinc, but this bronze tarnishes unattractively, and the original 95.5% copper, 3% tin, 1.5% zinc alloy was restored in 1945.

Because of the large number of pennies in circulation there was no need to produce any more in the 1950s, however a large number of specimen sets were issued in 1953 for Elizabeth II's Coronation. At least one 1954 penny was struck, apparently for private internal purposes at the Royal Mint, but it was not until 1961 that there was a need for more pennies to be minted, and production continued each year until 1967, and afterwards (as pennies continued to be minted with the date 1967, until 1970). The 97% copper, 0.5% tin, 2.5% zinc alloy was used again for the 1960s pennies. Finally, there was an issue of proof quality coins dated 1970 produced to bid farewell to the denomination.

Types and specifications

Silver

Minted	Image	Size	Weight	Material	Summary
1708–1713		12.0 mm	0.5 g	92.5% silver 7.5% copper	The original reverse of the British penny is the same as the reverse of the pre-1707 English penny, a crowned letter I, surrounded by the inscription MAG BRI FR ET HIB REG. The obverse features the left-facing portrait of Queen Anne, surrounded by the inscription ANNA DEI GRATIA.
1716–1727					George I coins also have a crowned I on the reverse, and busts on the obverse. George I pennies have GEORGIVS DEI GRA inscribed on the obverse and MAG BR FR ET HIB REX date on the reverse.
1729–1760					Same design as previous, George II pennies have GEORGIVS II DEI GRATIA inscribed on the obverse and MAG BRI FR ET HIB REX date on the reverse.
1763–1786					First obverse, showing a right-facing bust of the king, with the inscription GEORGIVS III DEI GRATIA. The first reverse was used until 1780 and shows a crowned "I" in high relief, with the inscription MAG BRI FR ET HIB REX date across the crown This was then modified in lower relief with the "I" being much flatter.
1792					Second obverse, showing an older bust of the king and the same inscription, laureated bust of the king with the inscription GEORGIUS III DEI GRATIA date This issue uses a third reverse design which is completely redesigned with a much smaller "I" under a smaller crown with the inscription running around the crown. No changes were made to the legend.
1795–1800					Second obverse, showing an older bust of the king and the same inscription, laureated bust of the king with the inscription GEORGIUS III DEI GRATIA date This issue uses a fourth reverse design which is similar to the one used between 1763 and 1780, but with a redesigned crown.
1817–1820					The fifth reverse, used from 1817 onwards, shows the crowned "I" with the inscription BRITANNIARUM REX FID DEF date.

Copper

Minted	Image	Size	Weight	Material	Short summary
1797		36.0mm	28.3g	100% copper	The "cartwheel" penny was minted in copper, with a weight of 1 oz and a diameter of 1.4 in. The obverse features a right-facing portrait of George III, and incused into the rim are the words GEORGIUS III·D·G·REX. The initial K appears on the lowest fold of the drapery at the base of the effigy, indicating that the design is the work of the German engraver Conrad Heinrich Küchler. The reverse shows the left-facing seated figure of Britannia, with a trident held loosely in her left hand, and an olive branch in her outstretched right. There are waves about her feet, with a small ship to the left and a Union Jack shield below and to the right. Above, on the rim, is incused the word BRITANNIA, and on the rim below the image is incused the date 1797. The reverse was also designed by Kuchler. The word SOHO appears next to the shield, indicating that the coin came from the Soho Mint.
1806–1807		34.0mm	18.8g	100% copper	On the obverse, the head of King George III is turned to the right, the inscription GEORGIUS III D: G REX, while the reverse shows a left-facing seated Britannia with a shield and trident, inscribed BRITANNIAR REX FID DEF. Engraver Conrad Heinrich Küchler, Soho Mint.
1825–1827				100% copper	The obverse of George IV's penny shows a highly regarded left-facing laureated head engraved by William Wyon after the king expressed a dislike for the one engraved by Benedetto Pistrucci for use on the farthing, inscribed GEORGIUS IV DEI GRATIA date, while the reverse shows a right-facing seated Britannia with a shield and trident, inscribed BRITANNIAR REX FID DEF.
1831–1837			18.6g	100% copper	The pennies of King William IV are very similar to his predecessors', also being engraved by William Wyon. The king's head faces right, inscribed GULIELMUS IIII DEI GRATIA date, while the reverse is identical to the George IV penny.
1841–1860			18.8g	100% copper	The Young Head bust of Victoria was designed by William Wyon who died in 1851.

Bronze

Minted	Image	Diameter	Weight	Material	Summary
1860–1894		31.0 mm	9.4 g	95% copper 4% tin 1% zinc	The second bust of Victoria was designed by Leonard Charles Wyon. The reverse of the bronze version of the coin features a seated Britannia, holding a trident, with the words ONE PENNY to either side.
1895–1901					The third and final Old Head (or "veiled head") bust was designed by Thomas Brock.
1902–1910					During the reign of King Edward VII the lighthouse and ship flanking Britannia were removed and the sea level design was altered to be higher.
1911–1922
1925–1936				95.5% copper 3% tin 1.5% zinc
1937–1943					During the reign of George VI the lighthouse was restored on the reverse to the left of Britannia, and her shield was turned upright.
1944				97% copper 0.5% tin 2.5% zinc
1945–1952				95.5% copper 3% tin 1.5% zinc	George VI issue coins feature the inscription GEORGIVS VI D G BR OMN REX F D IND IMP before 1949, and GEORGIVS VI D G BR OMN REX FIDEI DEF thereafter.
1953–1954					Pennies were rarely minted during the early reign of Elizabeth II, but those minted for the coronation in 1953 feature the inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRA BRITT OMN REGINA F D.
1961–1970				97% copper 0.5% tin 2.5% zinc	Regular minting of pennies was resumed in 1961. Pennies minted after that date bear the inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F D.

Pennies by period

• The Anglo-Saxons (c. 600–1066)
• The early Normans and the Anarchy (1066–1154)
• The Plantagenets (1154–1485)
• The Tudors (1485–1603)
• The Stuarts and the Commonwealth (1603–1714)
• The Hanoverians (1714–1901)
• The 20th century pre-decimal (1901–1970)
• Decimal Day, 1971
• Post-decimalisation (1971–present)

Mintages

George IV
1825 ~ 1,075,200 1826 ~ 5,913,000 1827 ~ 1,451,520

William IV
1831 ~ 806,400 1834 ~ 322,560 1837 ~ 174,720

Victoria (Young bust)
1839 ~ 300 (estimated, bronzed proof issue only) 1841 ~ 913,920 1843 ~ 483,830 1844 ~ 215,040 1845 ~ 322,560 1846 ~ 483,840 1847 ~ 430,080 1848 ~ 161,280 1849 ~ 268,800 1851 ~ 432,224 1853 ~ 1,021,440 1854 ~ 6,720,000 1855 ~ 5,273,866 1856 ~ 1,212,288 1857 ~ 752,640 1858 ~ 1,559,040 1859 ~ 1,075,200 1860 ~ 32,256

Victoria (Draped bust)

1860 ~ 5,053,440 1861 ~ 36,449,280 1862 ~ 50,534,400 1863 ~ 28,062,700 1864 ~ 3,440,640 1865 ~ 8,601,600 1866 ~ 9,999,360 1867 ~ 5,483,520 1868 ~ 1,182,720 1869 ~ 2,580,480 1870 ~ 5,695,022 1871 ~ 1,290,318 1872 ~ 8,494,572 1873 ~ 8,494,200 1874 ~ 5,621,865 1874H ~ 6,666,240 1875 ~ 10,691,040 1875H ~ 752,640 1876H ~ 11,074,560 1877 ~ 9,624,747 1878 ~ 2,764,470 1879 ~ 7,666,476 1880 ~ 3,000,831 1881 ~ 2,302,362 1881H ~ 3,763,200 1882H ~ 7,526,400 1883 ~ 6,327,438 1884 ~ 11,702,802 1885 ~ 7,145,862 1886 ~ 6,087,759 1887 ~ 5,315,085 1888 ~ 5,125,020 1889 ~ 12,559,737 1890 ~ 15,330,840 1891 ~ 17,885,961 1892 ~ 10,501,671 1893 ~ 8,161,737 1894 ~ 3,883,452

Victoria (Veiled bust)
1895 ~ 5,395,830 1896 ~ 24,147,156 1897 ~ 20,752,620 1898 ~ 14,296,836 1899 ~ 26,441,069 1900 ~ 31,778,109 1901 ~ 22,205,568

Edward VII
1902 ~ 26,976,768 1903 ~ 21,415,296 1904 ~ 12,913,152 1905 ~ 17,783,808 1906 ~ 37,989,504 1907 ~ 47,322,240 1908 ~ 31,506,048 1909 ~ 19,617,024 1910 ~ 29,549,184

George V

1911 ~ 23,079,168 1912 ~ 48,306,048 1912H ~ 16,800,000 1913 ~ 65,497,872 1914 ~ 50,820,997 1915 ~ 47,310,807 1916 ~ 86,411,165 1917 ~ 107,905,436 1918 ~ 84,227,372 1918H/1918KN ~ 3,580,800 1919 ~ 113,761,090 1919H/1919KN ~ 5,290,600 1920 ~ 124,693,485 1921 ~ 129,717,693 1922 ~ 22,205,568 1926 ~ 4,498,519 1927 ~ 60,989,561 1928 ~ 50,178,000 1929 ~ 49,132,800 1930 ~ 29,097,600 1931 ~ 19,843,200 1932 ~ 8,277,600 1933 ~ 7 (pattern only) 1934 ~ 13,965,600 1935 ~ 56,070,000 1936 ~ 154,296,000

George VI
1937 ~ 88,899,000 1938 ~ 121,560,000 1939 ~ 55,560,000 1940 ~ 42,284,400 1944 ~ 42,600,000 1945 ~ 79,531,200 1946 ~ 66,855,600 1947 ~ 52,220,400 1948 ~ 63,961,200 1949 ~ 14,324,400 1950 ~ 240,000 1951 ~ 120,000 1952 ~ 1

Elizabeth II
1953 ~ 1,308,400 1954 ~ 1 1961 ~ 39,703,000 1962 ~ 137,640,000 1963 ~ 134,013,600 1964 ~ 144,462,000 1965 ~ 135,534,000 1966 ~ 157,430,000 1967 ~ 164,000,000 1970 ~ 750,476 (souvenir sets only)

Note: The mintage figures where "H" or "KN" follows the year relates to coins minted with that particular mint mark. "H" refers to the Heaton Mint, and "KN" to the King's Norton Mint, both of which were contracted to mint supplemental pennies on occasion.

From 1825 to 1970 a total of 3,629,384,952 pennies were minted.

See also

• Penny (British decimal coin)
• Penny (English coin)

External links

• Penny (Pre-decimal), Coin Type from United Kingdom - Online Coin Club