pound coin (thing)

The new One Pound Coin designs

Commencing 2004, the Royal Mint is changing the One Pound coin designs to depict various bridges around the United Kingdom. The new designs are as follows:

• 2004 - The Forth Rail Bridge - Scotland

Obverse - Ian Rank-Broadley bust, IRB directly under. ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2004 inscription, encircled by dots

• 2005 - The Menai Suspension Bridge - Wales

Obverse as above, 2005 date

• 2006 - MacNeill's Egyptian Arch at Newry - Northern Ireland

Obverse as above, 2006 date

• 2007 - Millennium Bridge, Newcastle - England

Obverse as above, 2007 date

These new designs represent a departure for the Royal Mint, all previous £1 designs (apart from occasional special editions) have depicted national emblems and Royal insignia, rather than tangible objects, in this case famous bridges. Perhaps something more subtle is going on, the Euro notes also depict bridges in various architectural styles. Are these new coins preparing us for a Euro changeover?