5p Coins in Circulation

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The original 5p was first issued in 1968 as a larger coin and was initially used alongside and was the same size as its predecimal equivalent coin, the shilling. In 1990 the 5p was made smaller and lighter but was initially thought by many to be a bit too small. Only the smaller post 1990 5p coins shown on this page are legal tender. For the previous larger ones, see here.

Specifications are shown at the bottom of this page.

Obverse Type 3, used 1990 – 1997 (bust design by Raphael Maklouf):

Reverse Type 3, used 1990 – 2008 (design by Christopher Ironside):

Edge: Milled.

The design:

Scottish Thistle, royally crowned. ‘FIVE PENCE’ and ‘5’ above and below.

Dates:

1990*, Mintage 1,634,976,005.
1991, Mintage 724,979,000.
1992, Mintage 453,173,500.
1993, None for circulation – 137,729 for annual proof/BU sets.
1994, Mintage 93,602,000.
1995, Mintage 183,384,000.
1996, Mintage 302,902,000.
1997, Mintage 236,596,000.

Collectability/Scarcity: 1 for the high mintage coins, 2 for 1993 (for scale details see here)

Note that there are also minor die differences concerning the reverses of five pence coins dated 1990-2008. Coins that went into BU annual sets often have minor differences in comparison to the coins that were for general circulation. More info here: http://www.predecimal.com/forum/topic/8211-portcullis-varieties-on-decimal-penny/?p=90600

1990 5p coins exist with 2 distinctly different types of edge – one has a rounded edge (also known as a wired edge) the other has a much squarer edge.

 

Obverse Type 4, used 1998 – 2008 (bust design by Ian Rank-Broadley):

Reverse Type 3, used 1990 – 2008 (design by Christopher Ironside):

Edge: Milled.

Dates:

1998, Mintage 217,376,000.
1999, Mintage 195,490,000.
2000, Mintage 388,512,000.
2001, Mintage 337,930,000.
2002, Mintage 219,258,000.
2003, Mintage 333,230,000.
2004, Mintage 271,810,000.
2005, Mintage 236,212,000.
2006, Mintage 317,697,000.
2007, Mintage 246,720,000.
2008, Mintage 92,880,000.

Collectability/Scarcity (all): 1 (for scale details see here)

 

Obverse Type 5, used 2008 – 2015 (bust design by Ian Rank-Broadley):

Reverse Type 4, used 2008 – date (design by Matthew Dent):

Edge: Milled.

The design:

Middle section of the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom.

Dates:

2008*, Mintage 165,172,000.
2009, Mintage 132,960,300.
2010, Mintage 396,245,500.
2011, Mintage 50,400,000.
2012, Mintage 339,802,350.
2013, Mintage 378,800,750.
2014, Mintage 885,004,520.
2015, Mintage 163,000,000.

Collectability/Scarcity (all): 1 (for scale details see here)

2008 coins are known to exist with 180 degree die alignment (i.e. the reverse is upside down compared to the obverse). These coins are quite rare.

 

Obverse Type 6, used 2015 – 2022 (bust design by (Mr) Jody Clark):

Reverse Type 4, used 2008 – date (design by Matthew Dent):

Edge: Milled.

Dates:

2015, Mintage 536,600,000.
2016, Mintage 305,740,000.
2017, Mintage 220,515,000.
2018, None for circulation – 29,909 made for annual sets only
2019, Mintage 92,800,000.
2020, Mintage 49,200,000.
2021, Mintage 28,000,000.
2022, Mintage 42,800,000.

Collectability/Scarcity: 1 for the high mintage coins, 2 for 2018 (for scale details see here)

Specifications for all current 5p coins:

Size: 18mm
Width: 1.7mm
Metal Composition 1992 – 2010: Cupro-nickel (75% copper, 25% nickel)
Metal Composition 2011 – date: Steel core plated with nickel.
Weight: 3.25 grammes

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