Definitive portraits are often used for long periods.

These are the standard profile portraits of the reigning monarch seen on their coinage. Numismatists (coin experts) also talk about 'definitive portraits'. When carefully arranged these coins form the royal shield of arms of the United Kingdom.Ĭurrent definitive designs, left to right: a shield 50p (introduced in 2008), a 'Nations of the Crown' £1 (2016) and a Britannia £2 (2015). Currently, most UK coins from the 1p through to the 50p feature an interconnected shield design, created by Matthew Dent. Collectors get excited when a new definitive design is released as this is a rare event.ĭefinitive designs used on modern UK coins include the image of Britannia, formerly used on the 50p, and the lion seen on old 10ps. These designs stay the same for years or decades and are instantly recognisable. What Is A Definitive Coin Design?ĭefinitive coin designs are the standard motifs seen on the majority of official currency. Read on for a full guide to definitive coinage, plus what we know so far about the new 2023 definitive coins. What will these designs look like? How can you get them? And why are they important for collectors of British coins anyway?

This means that the standard reverse or 'tails' designs on UK coins will be updated for the first time in 15 years. The Royal Mint has just confirmed the imminent release of new 2023 definitive coin designs.

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