Many Brits only now discovering the ‘hidden’ image formed when a 1p, 5p, 10p, 20p, and 50p coin are arranged together.
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As the UK begins to circulate coins commemorating King Charles’ reign, Britons are scrutinising their currency more closely than ever. And many are only just discovering the ‘hidden’ image formed when a 1p, 5p, 10p, 20p, and 50p coin are arranged together.
The intrigue began in 2008 when The Royal Mint decided to refresh the coin designs after 40 years of the previous design. A statement from The Royal Mint reads: “The Royal Mint asked people to submit designs for the six coins that could stand alone or work as a set.
“We were looking for designs that would symbolise Britain, perhaps by using traditional heraldry, though designers were free to explore all options.
“As well as inviting specially chosen artists and coin designers to submit designs, we also opened the competition out to the general public.
People were invited to send in their designs for six coins: the 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p and 50p pieces. The £1 was initially left out of the competition. The response was overwhelming. People of all ages and from all sections of society entered and we received over 4,000 designs from over 500 people.
Did you know that UK coins make a shield when put together?
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At the time it was the largest response The Royal Mint had ever received for a public design competition.
The Royal Mint Advisory Committee examined every entry in search of a design that symbolised Britain, while remaining contemporary.
The statement revealed: “The winning set was designed by Matthew Dent, who had seen the competition advertised in a newspaper.”
Initially, Matthew toyed with concepts revolving around plants, birds, architecture, and coastal landscapes.
However, aiming to unify the four nations with merely five coins, he chose to delve into hereditary symbols. The statement further explains: “Perhaps the six coins could form a shield when arranged horizontally and vertically.”
Matthew expressed: “I felt that the solution to The Royal Mint’s brief lay in a united design.
“United in terms of theme execution, and coverage over the surface of the coins.”
This assembly of the elements of the Royal Arms to create one design had a satisfying symbolism of uniting the four countries of Britain under a single monarch.
Upon reviewing Matthew’s design, the committee identified a missing element and decided to add a final touch – designing a new £1 showcasing the shield.
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The statement concludes: “The results are plain to see for anyone who uses the latest British coins: a set of designs that is firmly rooted in tradition yet with a beautifully contemporary feel.”
Years later, some social media users have expressed their surprise upon only just noticing the iconic design on their coins, with one user stating: “Did you know that UK coins make a shield when put together?”
Commenting on this, one user said: “That’s dope! While another said: “My mum showed me this like years ago, I remember her literally coming into my room at like 11pm because she found it that cool.” Meanwhile, someone else quipped: “I wonder who coined the idea for this.”
Sourse: www.express.co.uk
