🔎 About the 1961 British 1 Penny Coin

Struck just nine years into Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, the 1961 penny belongs to the pre-decimal era of British coinage. The obverse features a youthful portrait of the Queen, while the reverse displays Britannia, a symbol of strength and tradition.

Specifications:

• Material: Bronze

• Weight: 9.45 grams

• Diameter: 30.8 mm

• Edge: Plain

• Obverse: Queen Elizabeth II (First Portrait by Mary Gillick)

• Reverse: Britannia seated with trident and shield

• Mint: Royal Mint, London

🕰 Historical Context

In 1961, Britain was deep into post-war recovery. The country still used the pound-shilling-penny system, with 240 pence in a pound. This coin would have been used in daily purchases — from newspapers to groceries — and was among the last to serve before decimalisation in 1971.

💡 Collecting Insights

• First Portrait of the Queen: This design by Mary Gillick remains iconic, depicting Elizabeth II without a crown — rare in royal coinage.

• Nostalgic Appeal: For many Britons, this coin evokes memories of pre-decimal Britain.

• Storage Provenance: Its unexpected reappearance in a 21st-century storage unit adds a quirky layer to its journey through time.

Though common in its day, this penny is a small but enduring piece of history — from a time when Britannia still ruled the reverse and change jingled with weight and legacy.