New British Coin Designs

A quick post, but one I've been wanting to make for ages. The Royal Mint launched a new set of coin designs earlier in the year, and they're really cool. Designed by Matthew Dent, who won a nationwide competition with his ideas, I was really impressed when I first saw them announced. They cleverly feel both traditional and contemporary, by taking old devices (the Royal Arms) and breaking them up in a jigsaw-like way. I love how the various coins each give a snapshot of the whole.

Over the last few weeks I started getting them more regularly turn up in my pocket change, and it really is great to see them. The old coins look positively shabby by comparison!