When Did The New Pound Coin Come Out

So, there I was, rummaging through my pocket change the other day, and I swear, I must have looked like a magician trying to pull a rabbit out of a hat. You know those old pound coins, the ones that were round and seemed to multiply in your pocket? Well, they've been replaced, and I'm still trying to get my head around it.

Now, I'm not one to complain about change - pun intended - but when did this new pound coin come out? I mean, one day I'm rolling around with a pocket full of round coins, and the next, I'm trying to figure out if the new one is heads or tails. It's like they sneaked up on us, didn't they?

Let's Rewind a Bit

Alright, let's rewind a bit. The Royal Mint, those clever folks who make our coins, decided that the old pound coin wasn't doing its job properly. It was too easy to copy, and that's not good when you're trying to keep counterfeiters at bay. So, they decided to give us a new one, a 12-sided marvel that's supposed to be harder to fake.

But when did this happen? I mean, I remember hearing about it, but I must have missed the memo on the actual launch date. It's not like they rolled out the red carpet and had a big party, was it?

April 2017, Folks!

Alright, so I've done a bit of digging - yes, I know, I should have done that before I started writing - and it turns out, the new pound coin was introduced on the 28th of March 2017. Now, I know what you're thinking, "That's not April!" And you're right, but the old coins didn't disappear overnight. They had until the 15th of October 2017 to make their way back into the system.

So, there you have it. The new pound coin came out in March 2017, and it's been trying to make friends with our pockets ever since. I, for one, am still getting used to it. I mean, who decided that 12 sides were a good idea? It's like they're daring us to find the 'right' way to hold it.

But Why the Change?

Now, you might be wondering why the change was necessary. Well, as I mentioned earlier, the old pound coin was too easy to copy. According to the Royal Mint, around 3% of the old pound coins in circulation were fakes. That's a lot of counterfeit coins, and it's not good for anyone, least of all our purses and wallets.

The new pound coin, with its 12 sides and high-tech security features, is supposed to be much harder to copy. It's got a hologram-like image that changes as you move it, and it's made of two metals instead of one. It's like they've given it a secret handshake that only the real ones know.

VIDEO: Five things you need to know about the new £1 coin

And let's not forget the bit where they made it bigger. I mean, I know we're all supposed to be eating more vegetables and all that, but really, did our pockets need another challenge?

So, What Happened to the Old Ones?

Now, you might be wondering what happened to all those old pound coins. Well, they didn't just disappear, did they? The old coins were still legal tender until the 15th of October 2017, and after that, they could be exchanged at the bank. I mean, I'm sure there are still a few lurking in the depths of our sofas and pockets, but officially, they're no longer in circulation.

And if you're thinking of hanging onto them, thinking they might be worth something one day, well, I've got news for you. The Royal Mint has said that they won't be making any more of the old coins, so they're not going to become collectors' items anytime soon. Sorry to burst your bubble.

And That's the Story...

So, there you have it. The new pound coin came out in March 2017, and it's been trying to make a name for itself ever since. It's bigger, it's got more sides, and it's supposed to be harder to copy. Whether it's a success or not, only time will tell. But one thing's for sure, it's certainly made our pockets a little more interesting.

And if you're still struggling with the new coin, you're not alone. I've seen people staring at it like it's an alien artifact. But don't worry, we'll get used to it eventually. After all, we've had to deal with a lot stranger things in the world of money, haven't we?