Coins of the pound sterling Coins of the pound sterling The standard circulating coinage of the United Kingdom is denominated in pounds sterling (symbol "£"), and, since the introduction of the two-pound coin in 1994 (to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Bank of England 1694–1994), ranges in value from one penny to two pounds. Since decimalisation, on 15 February 1971, the pound has been divided into 100 (new) pence. From the 16th century until decimalisation, the pound was divided into 20 shillings, each of 12 (old) pence. British coins are minted by the Royal Mint in Llantrisant, Wales. The Royal Mint also commissions the
Royal Mint Court in between 1807-1812 by Robert Smirke after Johnson died, having never seen his design realised. In honour of both architects, the building was named the Johnson Smirke Building, a namesake of both their surnames. Aiming to increase mint production, the building was designed for multiple purposes including to house new mint machinery, act as a bullion store, the mint's office and apartments for mint officials. The long façade of the three-storey rectangular stone building has windows with Doric order running through the first and second floors. A broad central pediment sits above featuring the royal coat of arms engraved in