Part 10: Decimal Coinage



The Current Decimal Coinage


The current decimal coinage

     The first major change in Jersey's coinage designs in 140 years took place in 1983 when the Seal of the Bailiwick, which had previously been shown on a common reverse for all denominations, was replaced by individual representations of landmarks of Jersey history.  The different designs help to distinguish the different values of the coins. 

     For an article by Ian Monins about the reverse designs of the current circulating coinage please click here.


Half New Penny

Half New Penny


        YEAR    KM    mintage    diameter
        1971    29   3,000,000     17.14      
        1980           200,000               



Half Penny

Half Penny


        YEAR    KM    mintage    diameter
        1981    45      50,000     17.14     
These coins were no longer legal tender after February 18, 1985.


One New Penny

One New Penny


        YEAR    KM    mintage    diameter
        1971    30   4,500,000     20.32     
        1980         3,000,000               



One Penny

One Penny


        YEAR    KM    mintage    diameter
        1981    46      50,000     20.32     


One Penny
Le Hocq Watch Tower, St. Clement

One Penny
Le Hocq Watch Tower, St. Clement


        YEAR    KM    mintage    diameter
        1983    54      50,000     20.32     
        1984         1,000,000
        1985         1,000,000      
        1986         2,000,000 
        1987         1,500,000 
        1988         1,000,000 
        1989         1,500,000 
        1990
        1994    54.2                         
        1997           320,000  
Starting in 1994, the composition is now copper plated steel instead of bronze.



One Penny
Mature Bust -- Le Hocq Watch Tower, St. Clement

One Penny
Mature Bust -- Le Hocq Watch Tower, St. Clement


        YEAR    KM    mintage    diameter
        1998    103
        2002
        2003         1,005,000
        2006                                  
          


Two New Pence

Two New Pence


        YEAR    KM    mintage    diameter
        1971    31   2,225,000     25.91      
        1975         3,250,000     
        1980         2,000,000                



Two Pence

Two Pence


        YEAR    KM    mintage    diameter
        1981    47      50,000     25.91     


Two Pence
L'Hermitage, St. Helier

Two Pence
L'Hermitage, St. Helier


        YEAR    KM    mintage    diameter
        1983    55     800,000     25.91      
        1984           750,000
        1985           250,000
        1986         1,000,000
        1987         2,000,000
        1988           750,000
        1989         1,000,000
        1990         2,600,000
        1992
        1997             5,500         (in mint sets only)
St. Helier was reputed to have come to Jersey and settled himself upon the small islet where the Hermitage Chapel now stands.

Starting in 1992, the composition is now copper plated steel instead of bronze.


Two Pence
Mature Bust -- L'Hermitage, St. Helier

Two Pence
Mature Bust -- L'Hermitage, St. Helier


        YEAR    KM    mintage    diameter
        1998    104                25.91   
        2002
        2003            10,000
        2006                               


Five New Pence

Five New Pence


        YEAR    KM    mintage    diameter
        1968    32   3,600,000     23.59     
        1980           800,000               



Five Pence

Five Pence


        YEAR    KM    mintage    diameter
        1981    48      50,000     23.59     


Five Pence
Seymour Tower, Grouville, L'Avathison

Five Pence
Seymour Tower, Grouville, L'Avathison


        YEAR    KM    mintage    diameter
        1983    56.1   400,000     23.59      
        1984           300,000
        1985           600,000
        1986           200,000
        1987                              (in mint sets only)
        1988           400,000
The larger diameter coin ceased to be legal tender after December 31, 1990.



Five Pence
Reduced Size -- Seymour Tower, Grouville, L'Avathison

Five Pence
Reduced Size -- Seymour Tower, Grouville, L'Avathison


        YEAR    KM    mintage    diameter
        1990    56.2 4,000,000     18.00      
        1991
        1992
        1993                                    
        1997             5,500 (in mint sets only)


Five Pence
Mature Bust -- Seymour Tower, Grouville, L'Avathison

Five Pence
Mature Bust -- Seymour Tower, Grouville, L'Avathison


        YEAR    KM    mintage    diameter
        1998    105                18.00
        2002
        2003         1,005,000                  
        2006         1,005,000                  


Ten New Pence

Ten New Pence


        YEAR    KM    mintage    diameter
        1968    33   1,500,000     28.50     
        1975         1,022,000
        1980         1,000,000               



Ten Pence

Ten Pence


        YEAR    KM    mintage    diameter
        1981    49      50,000     28.50     


Ten Pence
Faldouet Dolmen

Ten Pence
Faldouet Dolmen


        YEAR    KM    mintage    diameter
        1983    57      30,000     28.50     
        1984           100,000
        1985           100,000
        1986           400,000
        1987           800,000
        1988           650,000
        1989           700,000
        1990           850,000
      Faldouet dolmen or La Pouquelaye de Faldouet dates back to about 2500BC.  It is a Neolithic dolmen and has been so changed by would-be archaeological diggers and restorers over the centuries, which it is impossible to say for sure how it looked originally.  A passage of 17 stones leads to a roughly circular chamber surrounded by the remains of side-cells and beyond that is a horseshoe chamber of seven uprights covered by a huge capstone weighing about 24 tons.  The term 'Pouquelaye' needs explaining.  Pouquelaye or pouclee means fairystone.  Long after the menhir and dolmens on the island had ceased to be the ritual centers for prehistoric man, many of the stones were still venerated for their huge size and continued to have a role to play in the supernatural beliefs of the islanders.  As the original purpose of these stones had long been forgotten, their presence was explained by later generations as a result of fairy magic.  The stones were thought to have been borne through the air by fairies - carried in their magic aprons! 

     The smaller diameter coin was introduced on September 1, 1992.

     The larger diameter coin ceased to be legal tender after June 30, 1993


Ten Pence
Reduced Size -- Faldouet Dolmen

Ten Pence
Reduced Size -- Faldouet Dolmen


        YEAR    KM    mintage    diameter
        1992    57.2               24.50    
        1997             5,500         (in mint sets only)



Ten Pence
Mature Bust -- Faldouet Dolmen

Ten Pence
Mature Bust -- Faldouet Dolmen


        YEAR    KM    mintage    diameter
        2002    106                24.50
        2003            10,000               
        2006                                 



Twenty Pence
100th Anniversary of Lighthouse at Corbiere

Twenty Pence
100th Anniversary of Lighthouse at Corbiere


        YEAR    KM    mintage    diameter
        1982    53     200,00      21.40     

     The reverse design is by Robert Lowe.

     At the far southwest tip of Jersey is Corbiere Lighthouse, which was the first concrete lighthouse to be built in the British Isles, and warns approaching ships of the dangerous rocks in the area.



Twenty Pence
Lighthouse at Corbiere

Twenty Pence
Lighthouse at Corbiere


        YEAR    KM    mintage    diameter
        1983    66     400,000     21.40     
        1984           250,000
        1986           100,000
        1987           100,000
        1989           100,000
        1990           150,000
        1992
        1994
        1996
        1997           600,000


Twenty Pence
Mature Bust -- Lighthouse at Corbiere

Twenty Pence
Mature Bust -- Lighthouse at Corbiere


        YEAR    KM    mintage    diameter
        1998    107                21.40
        2002
        2003            10,000 
        2006                                   
              


Twenty Five Pence
Queen's Silver Jubilee

Twenty Five Pence


        YEAR    KM    mintage    diameter
        1977    44     255,510     38.61     
     The reverse design by Bernard Sindall is the Royal and Ancient castle of Mont Orgueil, which stands above Gorey Harbour and was for centuries the residence of the Lords, Keepers and Governors of Jersey.  Its name, meaning Mount Pride, was given to it by Thomas, Duke of Clarence, brother of Henry V, who was impressed by its unique position and great strength. 

     In 1966, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, transferred ownership of Mont Orgueil Castle (and Elizabeth Castle) from the Crown to the people of Jersey on condition that the castles were to be maintained as historic monuments although they had already been in the care of the Island since 1923.  On 6th July 1996, the Lieutenant Governor - The Queen's representative in the Island - presented the keys of both castles to the Bailiff.  In accordance with the specified condition, Mont Orgueil has since undergone extensive restoration work to help ensure its historic past is not forgotten. 


Fifty New Pence

Fifty New Pence


        YEAR    KM    mintage    diameter
        1969    34     480,000     30.00     
        1980           100,000               
This seven sided plain edge coin was released to circulation on October 14, 1969.



Fifty Pence

Fifty Pence


        YEAR    KM    mintage    diameter
        1981    50      50,000     30.00     


Fifty Pence
Grosnez Castle

Fifty Pence
Grosnez Castle


        YEAR    KM    mintage    diameter
        1983    58      50,000     30.00     
        1984            50,000     30.00     
        1986            30,000
        1987           150,000
        1988           130,000     30.00     
        1989           180,000
        1990           370,000     30.00     
        1992
        1994
        1996
        1997             5,500        (in mint sets only)                     
     The larger diameter coin ceased to be legal tender after April 30, 1998


Fifty Pence
40th Anniversary of Liberation

Fifty Pence
40th Anniversary of Liberation


        YEAR    KM    mintage    diameter
        1985    63   1,000,000     30.00     



Fifty Pence
Reduced Size -- Grosnez Castle

Fifty Pence

Reduced Size -- Grosnez Castle


        YEAR    KM    mintage    diameter
        1997   58.2  1,500,000     27.30     


Fifty Pence
Mature Bust -- Grosnez Castle

Fifty Pence
Mature Bust -- Grosnez Castle


        YEAR    KM    mintage  diameter
        1998   108               27.30     
        2003            10,000             
        2005
        2006                               


Click here to view the decimal proof sets.
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