The unveiling of our Bimetallic £1 Pattern Piece Set for auction marks a monumental moment in the history of the United Kingdom’s coinage. As one of the rarest and most innovative numismatic offerings available to collectors, this set encapsulates the groundbreaking experimentation behind the evolution of the £1 coin.
Representing a blend of artistry, technology and ingenuity, these pattern pieces are artefacts that are usually only available to The Royal Mint Museum. However, this December we will be making two sets of pattern pieces available at auction for the very first time.
The Evolution of the £1 Coin
The £1 coin is an iconic representation of the United Kingdom’s financial system. Introduced in 1983 to replace the £1 banknote, the evolution of the modern £1 coin reflects the advancing needs of the nation’s economy and a demand for a more sustainable physical currency.
By 2017, the UK witnessed the replacement of the traditional round £1 coin with the innovative 12-sided bimetallic £1 coin. In the lead-up to this transformation, we carried out trials and created designs, amongst which was a set of bimetallic £1 pattern pieces. These experimental pieces tested the feasibility of a bimetallic £1 coin and feature an inversion of the metal colouration seen in the £2 coin.
Why Pattern Pieces Matter
Pattern pieces are an integral part of numismatic history. These developmental prototypes are created to test new designs, metal compositions and technological features before a coin receives the final approval for circulation. Rarely released, they provide collectors with a unique opportunity to own a piece of the design process that captures the creativity and challenges behind currency innovation.
Key Features of the Bimetallic £1 Pattern Piece Set
A Step in Innovation
This set of pattern pieces represents an early rendering of a bimetallic £1 coin design, a precursor to the advanced £1 coin in circulation today. The configuration of the contrasting metals in these coins inverts the colouration of the iconic bimetallic £2 coin.
Unmatched Rarity
With only two sets available to the public, these pieces epitomise exclusivity and their scarcity makes them a prized possession for any serious collector.
An Early Rendition
These pieces offer a glimpse into the complex coin-design process and each piece in these sets reflects the cutting-edge craftsmanship synonymous with The Royal Mint.
Historically Significant
These pieces symbolise a turning point in British currency and showcase the innovation that led to the introduction of the 12-sided £1 coin.
The silent auction will open at 12 noon on Monday, 16 December 2024. To take part, fill out the form and enter your highest bid(s) before 12 midnight on Tuesday, 31 December 2024. Those who have placed the highest bids by the end of the auction will be the ones to acquire these remarkable pieces.
