One of the biggest news in numismatics today is the new designs of UK coins. The United Kingdom is officially changing its coinage. The old designs that were used for about four decades are now being replaced with the new ones, which will still maintain the English coinage tradition.

The new series of one pound UK coins feature on their reverse the full Shield of the Royal Arms, the obverse having the same portrait of Her Majesty The Queen. The two pound denomination coins will remain unchanged.

Angela Eagle MP, the Exchequer Secretary to the UK Treasury stated: "The response to the public competition for new coin designs was overwhelming, and my congratulations go to Matthew Dent, whose innovative designs were chosen from over 4000 entries. His designs, which interpret the traditional theme of heraldry in a contemporary way, will be seen and used by millions of people across the United Kingdom."

The design for the new UK coins was picked through an open competition, which had been extensively publicized within the national media in August of 2005. The competition gathered 4,000 entries. Matthew Dent was the one to win the competition. The 26-year-old man now lives and works in the capital of UK, being originally from Bangor.

"For designs of mine to appear on a medium as significant and prestigious as the United Kingdom's coinage and to be produced and circulated in millions is a tremendous honor. I primarily want my new designs to intrigue, to entertain and to raise a smile. I love to think that they may be enjoyed as much by children at school as by folks in a pub," commented on the event Mr. Dent.

After looking and analyzing various options, Dent managed in the end to create the heraldic theme, taking the most famous heraldic device used on coinage, that is the Royal Arms.

"I am delighted with the new coins which have been beautifully designed. They are contemporary yet retain the gravitas and reference to history required for the United Kingdom's coins," mentioned Andrew Stafford, Chief Executive of the Royal Mint.

A modern treatment has been applied on the Shield of the Royal Arms. The entire shield has been divided among all of the denominations. Thus, the six denominations (from 1p to 50p) together make one full Shield of the Royal Arms. The 1 pound coin entirely shows the heraldic element. It is worth mentioning that for the first time one design has been divided across a range of UK coins.

The new coins of the United Kingdom will be launched into circulation gradually throughout 2008. The designs of the new UK coins will stay in circulation and as a legal tender for the anticipated future.

To commemorate this historic event, the Royal Mint provides a set of limited edition coins struck to Proof quality.