New £1 coin design - interview with designer David Pearce

The Chancellor George Osborne recently unveiled the reverse of the forthcoming dodecagon £1 coin, set to enter circulation in 2017. Paula Hammond chatted to 15-year-old David Pearce, about his winning design…

What inspired you to enter the competition?
My design teacher at school, Mr Hughes, is always encouraging us to enter competitions. We’ve entered a lot in the past and I really enjoy them.

Tell us a little about the design process?
I began by researching the type of things that generally appear on coins along with the heraldic traditions of the United Kingdom. I came up with the four emblems: the Tudor rose for England, the leak for Wales, the thistle for Scotland and shamrock for Northern Ireland. I also wanted to represent the United Kingdom itself - the idea of the four nations joined together - which is why I had the four emblems emerging from the crown.

Is it a specific crown?
The one I chose is from the Coat of Arms. The unicorn wears a crown on its neck. I chose that because it didn’t have any jewels or detailing at the top. So the emblems could be seen coming out of the crown clearly.

What’s the reaction from your family been like?
My mum thought I was joking. It took about 15 minutes to convince her that I actually had won and then she started crying! My sister was really pleased as well.

You can read the full interview with David Pearce in the June 2015 issue of Stamp & Coin Mart magazine, on sale from 8 May.