Decimal Two Pence <<-- : -->> Decimal Ten Pence
Values of Decimal 5p coins
Pictures of Decimal Five Pence Coins
The five pence coin initially weighed 5.65 grams and had a diameter of 23.59 mm, identical in this respect to the shilling, and also minted in cupronickel.
In 1990 a new smaller version was introduced weighing 3.25g and 18.00 mm diameter.
In 2011 the metal was changed to nickel-plated steel. As the density of steel is less than that of cupronickel, these coins are slightly thicker but have the same diameter and weight.
Proof coins were issued in sets every year from 1971 onwards.
There are nine types of this coin. All except the seventh and eighth were minted in cupronickel.
Obv: First Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D (date)
starting top right
Rev: Crowned Thistle, 5 below, NEW PENCE above
Issued from 1968 to 1981 (1972-1974, 1976 and 1981 in Proof only)
Obv: First Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D (date)
starting top right
Rev: Crowned Thistle, 5 below, FIVE PENCE above
Issued from 1982 to 1984 (All only obtainable from Mint and Proof sets).
Obv: Second Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D (date)
starting low left
Rev: Crowned Thistle, 5 below, FIVE PENCE above
Issued from 1985 to 1990 (1985-86 and 1990 only issued in Mint and Proof Sets).
Proofs: silver in 1990
Obv: Second Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D (date)
starting low left
Rev: Crowned Thistle, 5 below, FIVE PENCE above
Issued from 1990 to 1997 (1993 only issued in Mint and Proof Sets).
Proofs: silver in 1990 and 1996; silver piedfort in 1990.
Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D (date)
starting low left. Initials IRB below bust.
Rev: Crowned Thistle, 5 below, FIVE PENCE above.
Issued from 1998 to 2008. All dates are in circulation.
Proofs: silver in 2000, 2006 and 2008; gold in 2002 and 2008; platinum in 2008.
Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D (date)
starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. No beading.
Rev: Central part of the Royal Arms, FIVE PENCE centrally.
Issued from 2008 to 2010 (all found in circulation).
Proofs: silver 2008 to 2010; gold in 2008; platinum in 2008; silver piedfort in 2008.
Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D (date)
starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. No beading.
Rev: Central part of the Royal Arms, FIVE PENCE centrally.
Identical design to third small type, but issued in plated steel instead of cupronickel.
Issued from 2011 to 2015 (all found in circulation).
Obv: Fourth Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REG FID DEF (date)
starting at the top. Initials J.C below bust. No beading.
Rev: Central part of the Royal Arms, FIVE PENCE centrally.
Struck in plated steel.
Issued from 2015 to 2022. 2018 only available in mint sets as none were minted for circulation.
2021 has the lowest mintage of the small 5p struck for circulation at 28,000,000.
Obv: Charles III facing left, inscription CHARLES III DEI GRA REX FID DEF (date)
starting low left. Initials MJ below bust. No beading.
Coins from the 2023 sets have a crown privy mark behind the bust.
Rev: Oak leaves and Acorns, at right, 5 PENCE to left against a background of a triple C motif.
Plated steel, first issued from 2023. 2024 not yet seen in circulation, but available
in mint sets.
The full designation of the 1968 to 2008 reverse is 'The Badge of Scotland, a thistle royally crowned'. It was designed by Christopher Ironside.
With the reduction in size the old larger coins, along with the shillings that circulated alongside, were withdrawn from circulation, and demonetized with effect from 1st January 1991.
There was a delay in the release of plated steel coins due to problems with modifying vending and similar machines so that they would be accepted. They were first seen in circulation in March 2012. The Royal Mint have been actively withdrawing cupronickel coins for their metal content, which is still just less than 5p, and replacing them with plated steel versions.
See my Main Coins Index page for acknowledgements
Decimal Two Pence <<-- : -->> Decimal Ten Pence
Values Index
Values of Decimal Five Pence Coins.
Pictures Index
Pictures of Decimal Five Pence Coins
Decimal Coins of the UK - Five Pence
Copyright reserved by the author, Tony Clayton
v41 13th October 2024
