13 May 2019
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NEW SERIES! Change Checker answer questions on the history of your coins, the design and how much your coins are potentially worth
Ever wondered what your coins are worth? Or where they have come from? We've partnered with the experts at Change Checker to answer some of your questions in a new monthly blog series.
Southern Rhodesia 1 Penny
Country: Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe)
Mintage: 4,396,000 issued for circulation in 1951
Design: The obverse was designed by Derwent Wood and features a crowned flower with a hole at the centre and lettering around the edge to say ‘KING GEORGE THE SIXTH’. The reverse was designed by Royal Mint Engravers and features springs encircling the value, with the country and year written around the edge.
Equivalent value in pound sterling: 1/240 of a pound
Comments: This coin was actually struck in England, as Southern Rhodesia was a British colony until 1965 when they declared independence. The country is now known as Zimbabwe. Its currency was the pound and this was also circulated in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland. In 1970 a Rhodesian dollar was introduced at par to the US dollar and then in 1980 the Zimbabwean dollar replaced this.
Philippines 1 Peso
Country: Philippines (United States of America)
Mintage: 10,276,000 issued for circulation in 1907
Design: The reverse features an eagle above a shield with the date of issue below. The obverse was designed by Melecio Figueroa and features a woman in a flowing dress holding a hammer to an anvil, with Mt Mayon behind her.
Equivalent value in pound sterling: 0.015 pounds
Comments: Between 1903 and 1908, the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia produced bi-national coins with Philippine on the obverse and United States of America on the reverse. These designs were incredibly detailed, with Filipina Lady Liberty striking an anvil as a representation of the hard work being done by the native peoples of the Philippines to build their own future.
UK Slave Trade £2
Country: UK
Mintage: 8,445,000 issued for circulation in 2007
Design: The obverse design by Ian Rank-Broadley features the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. The reverse design by David Gentleman depicts a broken link in the ‘chain of oppression’ which also represents the ‘0’ in the anniversary date – 1807.
Equivalent value in pound sterling: 2 pounds
Comments: Two versions of the 2007 Slave Trade coins exist – one has a textured finish whereas the other has a smooth finish and features the artist, David Gentleman’s initials (circled). The key difference is that only the textured version was struck for circulation, and if you find one of the smoother types in your change, you have actually found a coin which has been taken out of a presentation pack. The design marks the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade.
Charles and Diana Royal Wedding Crown
Country: UK
Mintage: 26,773,600 brilliant uncirculated coins and 218,142 Silver Proof coins were issued in 1981
Design: The obverse design by Arnold Machin features the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. The reverse design by Philip Nathan features the conjoined portrait of Prince Charles and Lady Diana.
Equivalent value in pound sterling: 0.25 pounds
Comments: To celebrate the wedding of Charles and Diana in July 1981, the Royal Mint produced a commemorative crown tariffed at 25 pence, although no denomination was actually inscribed on the coin. For the first time, three people were portrayed on a British coin simultaneously, with the reverse featuring the conjoined profiles of the bridal couple and the obverse featuring Arnold Machin’s portrait of the Queen.
Malaysian 1 Cent
Country: Malaysia
Mintage: 50,000,000 issued for circulation in 1943
Design: The obverse design by Percy Metcalfe features the portrait of George VI King Emperor. The reverse design shows the value of the coin and lettering to say ‘Commissioners of currency Malaya’
Equivalent value in pound sterling: 0.19 pence
Comments: The Malaysian dollar was introduced in 1939 as the currency of the British Colonies and protectorates in Malaya and Brunei until 1953. After this the Malaya and British Borneo dollar was introduced at par until 1967 when the Malaysian dollar was introduced. In 1993 the symbol ‘RM’ (Ringgit Malaysia) was introduced to replace the $ sign.
Want to be featured in next month's Q&A? Simply email us with images of your coin/s with any relevant information and we'll do our best to investigate the mysteries.
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