Old Sized 5p Coins

<- Click Here to go back to the other Coins in Circulation page

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. For the smaller current type, see here.

Specifications are shown at the bottom of this page.

Obverse Type 1, used 1968 – 1984 (bust design by Arnold Machin):

Reverse Type 1, used 1968 – 1981 (design by Christopher Ironside):

Edge: Milled.

The design:

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

Dates:

1968, Mintage 98,686,250.
1969, Mintage 120,270,000.
1970, Mintage 225,948,525.
1971, Mintage 81,783,475.
1972, None for circulation – 107,807 were made for proof sets.
1973, None for circulation – 75,424 were made for proof sets.
1974, None for circulation – 72,355 were made for proof sets.
1975, Mintage 141,539,000.
1976, None for circulation – 75,000 were made for proof sets.
1977, Mintage 24,308,000.
1978, Mintage 61,094,000.
1979, Mintage 155,456,000.
1980, Mintage 220,566,000
1981, None for circulation – 98,500 were made for proof sets.

Collectability/Scarcity: 1 for the high mintage coins, 2 for 1972-1974, 1976 and 1981 (for scale details see here)

 

Obverse Type 1, used 1968 – 1984 (bust design by Arnold Machin):

Reverse Type 2, used 1982 – 1990 (design by Christopher Ironside):

Edge: Milled.

The design:

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

Dates:

1982, None for circulation – 323,630 were made for annual proof/BU sets.
1983, None for circulation – 614,655 were made for annual proof/BU sets.
1984, None for circulation – 265,340 were made for annual proof/BU sets.
Collectability/Scarcity (all): 2 (for scale details see here)

 

Obverse Type 2, used 1985 – 1990 (bust design by Raphael Maklouf):

Reverse Type 2, used 1982 – 1990 (design by Christopher Ironside):

Edge: Milled.

Dates:

1985, None for circulation – 280,390 were made for annual proof/BU sets.
1986, None for circulation – 167,000 were made for annual proof/BU sets.
1987, Mintage 48,220,000.
1988, Mintage 120,744,610.
1989, Mintage 101,406,000.
1990, None for circulation – 181,658 were made for annual proof/BU sets.

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

To see the 1990 to date smaller current 5p coins, see here.

 

Specifications for all old size 5p coins:

Size: 23.59mm
Width: 1.7mm
Metal Composition 1968 – 1990: Cupro-nickel (75% copper, 25% nickel)
Weight: 5.65 grammes

<- Click Here to go back to the other Coins in Circulation page