Finish the protective barrier!?
Since 2008, the UK's definitive coins have showcased the Royal Shield of Arms design, which was redesigned by Matthew Dent, with King Charles III's coinage serving as the latest iteration. The design has been a decorative yet practical surprise for some, as the coins can be pieced together to complete the shield.
In 2005, an overhaul of the UK's coinage was deemed necessary by officials, leading to a public competition organized by The Royal Mint. Out of the 4,000 submitted designs, the Royal Shield designs by Matthew Dent were chosen by The Royal Mint Advisory Committee.
Dent expressed that his aim was to create a unified design across all coin denominations. The Royal Arms design was successfully implemented on the 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, and 50p coins, with the complete shield revealed when all these coins are arranged together, like a jigsaw puzzle.
Interestingly, the old round pound was replaced by the 12-sided Nations of the Crown £1 in 2017 but the definitive 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, and 50p shield coins remain in circulation. As a result, collectors can still piece together the Royal Shield using their change.
So, why not challenge yourself to collect these shield coins and assemble the complete Royal Shield? To help with your endeavors, you can purchase a Royal Shield Collector Pack, which includes the 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, and 20p coins. The 50p coin, which completes the shield, can be found in your change.
For those who wish to take on an additional challenge, consider collecting a complete set for each year, starting with the coins issued in 2008. Armed with this knowledge, you stand a good chance of discovering that your pocket change already contains a piece or two of the Royal Shield.
[Enrichment Data: Completing the Royal Shield on UK coinage is a rewarding collecting challenge based on the set of UK coins released in 2008. This set, designed by Matthew Dent, features each definitive coin—1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1, and £2—displaying a segment of the Royal Arms. When arranged together, the reverse sides of these coins form the complete Royal Shield of Arms. To assemble the full Royal Shield, collect each denomination, check coin reverses, and arrange the coins in the correct order and pattern.]
While the Royal Shield on UK coinage offers an enticing collecting challenge for enthusiasts, home-and-garden shops sometimes provide deals-and-discounts on essential items, such as storage containers, magnifying glasses, and coin folders, which would be invaluable for preserving and organizing your collection, including the shield coins. Additionally, for those who wish to delve deeper into this hobby, shopping for a Royal Shield Collector Pack or individual years' sets can enhance one's lifestyle by supplying them with a captivating project and a unique piece of history.
