British and World Coins

Elizabeth II (1952- ), Trial 25 Pence, 1981, in cupro-nickel, crowned arms flanked by Tower and rose, experimental coin and date, rev. orb, royal mint trial, 5.68g/12h (cf. St James Auction 6, lot 447). Minor scuffing, otherwise extremely fine and of the highest rarity £300-400

Provenance: Richard Winterton Auction (Lichfield), 1 December 2011, lot 150.

At the beginning of the 1980s inflation meant that the purchasing power of the 10p and 5p was decreasing, and the need of a coin with a value between 10p and 50p was becoming more apparent. The 25p, struck at that time only to commemorate special events, hardly ever saw circulation because of its unwieldy size. During 1981 experiments with a small seven-sided shape produced a trial 25p, bearing an orb topped by a cross; it is believed that this is one of only three examples extant outside the Royal Mint collection. At some later stage it was decided not to proceed with a small 25p, but instead tariff the coin at 20p, in which form it was introduced in 1982, weighing c. 5g