British Coins

Pobjoy Mint, established in medieval Great Britain, is renowned today for crafting exceptional coins, especially for special commemoratives and on behalf of various governments. Known for their superior coin design and dyeing techniques, Pobjoy Mint also excels in high-quality packaging. Some notable collector coin series they produce include:

- The Kublai Khan Isle of Man oblong silver coin, presented in a quality timber case with a brass etched inscription on the front.

- The world's first Pyramid coin, featuring a triangular shape with sands from the pyramids encapsulated in a triangular box along with a certificate of authenticity.

- The popular Snoopy series from the Peanuts franchise, available in silver, gold, and base metal coinage, housed in superb presentation boxes appealing to all coin collectors.

Since 1988, Pobjoy Mint has annually released a beloved cat series that remains highly sought after by collectors.

Historical British Coinage

The pre-decimal coinage of Britain included denominations like the Farthing, Halfpenny, Penny, Threepence, Sixpence, Shilling, Florin (Two Shillings), Double Florin (Four Shillings), Half Crown, Crown, and Guinea.

Historically, the coinage of the British Isles originated from the Belgic tribes and other groups across the Channel. Around the second century B.C., Britons on the southern coast began minting gold coins, featuring a laureate head on the obverse and often depicting a horse or chariot group on the reverse.

Over time, silver, bronze, and tin coins became prevalent, following the pattern typical of contact between barbarian nations and Rome, where more precious metals gradually replaced iron in coinage. Roman influence is evident in later British coin issues, marked by inscriptions in Roman letters.

When Julius Caesar arrived in Britain, he found that the natives used either gold coins or iron bars (interpreted as early forms of currency), often marked with inscriptions. The earliest coins associated with Britain were discovered in the southeast region, characterized by a flat fabric and similarities with Gaulish coinage. These coins are attributed to the Belgae tribes spanning both sides of the English Channel. Additionally, cast tin coins from the same area exist, reflecting local monetary practices.

Coins from more remote regions of Britain are notably thicker and less refined than those of the Belgic tribes, showcasing the evolving numismatic traditions across different parts of the island.