Royal Mint is holding competition to design new coins |
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Fri, 19 Aug 2005 00:35
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LONDON: Britain's Royal Mint is holding a competition to design new British coins. It is inviting the public to submit their designs for the purpose and the selected designs can earn a prize of up to 30,000 pounds.
British coins had retained their designs and facade for the last 30 years. The new designers will have to work within constraints -- the mint will not allow them to tamper with the portrait of the Queen, which will remain on the topside. The new design is sought for the reverse side only. The selected designs will have to have the Queen's as well the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown's approval.
Announcing the plan, chief executive of the Royal Mind Gerald Sheehan said coins are important and integral to British history. "It is fascinating how strongly people feel about the coinage and how integral it is to our history."
The Mint is seeking designs for the 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p and 50p coins. The current designs for the 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p and 50p coins were prepared for decimalisation in 1971, while the 20p coin was designed in 1982.
The Mint said designers can have a "free hand", but since heraldry had been an important feature in British coins for centuries, the designers may consider interpreting heraldry in an "imaginative and creative way. They can also consider themes that represent represent the country like its geographical features, social, political or cultural achievements or institutions.
In addition to the public, the Royal Mint's own engravers are entitled to participate in the competition.
The Treasury meanwhile scotched rumours that the proposal to change the designs indicated that Britain may not be joining the euro. Officials said there had been no change in the Government's position that joining the single currency would be decided on economic grounds. During his election campaigns, prime minister Tony Blair had indicated that he would not try to join the euro during this parliament.
Neil O'Brien, of the Vote No campaign, said he does not think there are any prospects of the country joining the euro in the foreseeable future. "Today's announcement shows institutions are planning on that basis."
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