Traditional round pound coins have been in circulation for 33 years. All the time, their specifications have not been updated, so they have become a target for counterfeiters (up to 1 coin of 30 was a fake!). The British Royal Mint has decided to go for a change and came up with a perfect coin suitable for the 21st century. At the same time, it prepared its silver version intended for collectors, which boasts extraordinary thickness (so-called piedfort)

The new coin stands out above all in an unusual twelve-edge shape. The edges are alternately indented and the year of the issue with a nominal value repeats microscopically around its perimeter. The coin is also provided with a holographic pattern, that is legible only when viewed from a given angle. It indicates a number 1 or a currency symbol £. And that's not all - one security element is kept secret so that potential counterfeiters had no idea what to focus on.

The artistic form of the reverse side of the coin came from the national competition, which was attended by 6000 artists - professional medal makers and national enthusiasts. Only fifteen-year-old David Pearce, who originally combined the traditional plant patterns typical of the United Kingdom, has won. English rose, Welsh leek, Scotch thistle and Northern-Ireland clover grow up from one stalk surrounded by a royal crown. The obverse side of the coin then carries the profile of Queen Elizabeth II, together with the inscription "ELIZABETH II D G REG F D" (Elizabeth II, the Queen by the Grace of God, the Defender of the Faith) and the year of issue 2017.

The commemorative version of the circulation coin was made of silver in quality proof and additionally re-worked with gold.