Did you know that Britain’s one-pound coin has remained unchanged for more than 30 years? Due to its vulnerability to counterfeiters (in fact, about 3% of all one-pound coins are thought to be forgeries), a public competition was held for the design of a new coin. The winner? 15-year-old David Pearce.
Chosen out of more than 6,000 entries, this new coin’s is made of multiple metals and has 12 sides. It features the four emblems of the United Kingdom’s constituent parts: a rose (England), thistle (Scotland), shamrock (Northern Ireland) and leek (Wales). This design is on the reverse side; the other side features the Queen.
While Pearce’s design was tweaked by professional coin and lettering experts, the finished product is true to his entry. Other entries features teacups, weather scenes and even the Rolling Stones logo.
The winning coin will begin circulating in 2017, and according to the government, will be “the most secure coin in circulation anywhere.”
Courtesy of Quartz