Three years and £2 million in the the making, it uses technology already used in banknotes that allow its authenticity to be established incredibly quickly with a simple scan.
At the heart of the new design is the catchily titled Integrated Secure Identification Systems (iSIS), embedded into the heart of the coin.
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The new one pound coin
New one pound coin(01 of04)
Open Image ModalA new 12-sided one pound coin based on the threepenny bit is being unveiled - and is said to be the hardest in the world to fake.Described as a "giant leap into the future" the new coin will replace the old one, after the Treasury announced that 3% in circulation are fake - a total of over 45 million.The coin is based on the historic three pence piece, also known as the 'Threepenny bit', which was the first coin to feature a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.But unlike its predecessor, the new coin - which will be roughly the same size as the existing one when introduced in 2017 - will contain an array of technological advances making it difficult to forge. (credit:PA/The Royal Mint)
New one pound coin(02 of04)
Open Image ModalA new 12-sided one pound coin based on the threepenny bit is being unveiled - and is said to be the hardest in the world to fake.Described as a "giant leap into the future" the new coin will replace the old one, after the Treasury announced that 3% in circulation are fake - a total of over 45 million.The coin is based on the historic three pence piece, also known as the 'Threepenny bit', which was the first coin to feature a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.But unlike its predecessor, the new coin - which will be roughly the same size as the existing one when introduced in 2017 - will contain an array of technological advances making it difficult to forge. (credit:PA/The Royal Mint)
New one pound coin(03 of04)
Open Image ModalA new 12-sided one pound coin based on the threepenny bit is being unveiled - and is said to be the hardest in the world to fake.Described as a "giant leap into the future" the new coin will replace the old one, after the Treasury announced that 3% in circulation are fake - a total of over 45 million.The coin is based on the historic three pence piece, also known as the 'Threepenny bit', which was the first coin to feature a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.But unlike its predecessor, the new coin - which will be roughly the same size as the existing one when introduced in 2017 - will contain an array of technological advances making it difficult to forge. (credit:PA/The Royal Mint)
New one pound coin(04 of04)
Open Image ModalA new 12-sided one pound coin based on the threepenny bit is being unveiled - and is said to be the hardest in the world to fake.Described as a "giant leap into the future" the new coin will replace the old one, after the Treasury announced that 3% in circulation are fake - a total of over 45 million.The coin is based on the historic three pence piece, also known as the 'Threepenny bit', which was the first coin to feature a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.But unlike its predecessor, the new coin - which will be roughly the same size as the existing one when introduced in 2017 - will contain an array of technological advances making it difficult to forge. (credit:PA/The Royal Mint)
For obvious reasons the full details of iSIS are unavailable as are the exact make-up of the materials used to make it.
The coin's 12-sided shape is its first line of defence as to replicate this is much harder that a simple circle.
Additionally, the Royal Mint, who developed the coin, use a process called aRMour full-plate technology in their production process.
This process applies a single layer that is electroplated directly onto a steel core which results in a very strong bond between the plated material and the steel core.
What the coin's makers will tell us is the myriad of benefits the system can achieve...
- It will reduce costs by replacing expensive clad and homogeneous coins with a more affordable full-plated option.
- It will generate lifetime cost savings through unmatched durability, lasting up to 30 times longer than an equivalent value banknote.
- It will have considerably lower replacement frequency than other plated coin types.
- Both robust and secure, its issuance protects the reputation of a country, projecting a positive image of the nation and its economy.