Guernsey Pound - Coins

Coins

Between 1830 and 1956, Guernsey's four coin denominations, 1, 2, 4 and 8 doubles, all carried very similar designs, with the Island's arms and name (spelt Guernesey) on the obverse and the denomination and date on the reverse. In addition, the 8 double coins featured a wreath on both sides.

In 1956, new designs were introduced for the 4 and 8 doubles (the lower denominations were no longer issued). These featured the Island's arms and name (now given as S'Ballivie Insule de Gernereve) on the obverse with the English name, the date and the Guernsey lily on the reverse. 3 pence coins were also issued from 1956, with the same obverse and a reverse featuring the Guernsey cow.

As in the U.K., 5 and 10 new pence coins were introduced in 1968, followed by 50 new pence coins in 1969, before decimalization took place in 1971 and the ½, 1 and 2 new pence coins were introduced. These coins were the same size and composition as the corresponding British coins. The word "new" was dropped in 1977. The 1 pound coin was introduced in 1981, two years before its introduction in the U.K., although the 20 pence and 2 pounds coins were introduced at the same time as in the U.K., 1982 and 1998, respectively. The thickness of the 1981 coin was significantly thinner than the modern version and the diameter also measured slightly less.

The first decimal issues continued with the same obverse as the last pre-decimal issues until 1985, when Raphael Maklouf's portrait of Queen Elizabeth II was added. Ian Rank-Broadley's portrait of the Queen has appeared since 1998. Designs on the reverses of Guernsey's decimal coins are: