Coins of the pound sterling itself was unchanged by decimalisation.) The first decimal coins – the five pence (5p) and ten pence (10p) — were introduced in 1968 in the run-up to decimalisation in order to familiarise the public with the new system. These initially circulated alongside the pre-decimal coinage and had the same size and value as the existing one shilling and two shilling coins respectively. The fifty pence (50p) coin followed in 1969, replacing the old ten shilling note. The remaining decimal coins – at the time, the half penny (p), penny (1p) and two pence (2p) — were issued in 1971 at
Commemorative coins of the United Kingdom the decimal era, crowns were converted to twenty-five pence. 50p and recent £2 Coins circulate normally and can be found in change. Usually about 5 million of each of these are the commemorative issue, the rest being of the standard design. Since 1982 all of these have also been produced as Sterling silver and 22 carat Gold proofs. Although the design of the £1 Coin changes every year, these are not considered to be commemoratives, as they do not mark an event or its anniversary. Twenty-five pence Non-circulated Circulated Commemorative coins of the United Kingdom Commemorative coins have been issued