History of the British penny (1901–1970)

The British penny, during the period 1901 to 1970, saw significant changes in its design, composition, and role in everyday life. This era encompasses the reigns of several monarchs and two World Wars, each impacting the coin's characteristics.

Reign of Edward VII (1901-1910): The penny retained the iconic Britannia design, but with the effigy of King Edward VII replacing Queen Victoria. The reverse design remained largely unchanged from the late Victorian era, depicting Britannia standing with a trident and shield, accompanied by a lighthouse and a sailing ship. The coin was struck in bronze and weighed 9.45 grams.

Reign of George V (1910-1936): King George V's effigy replaced his father's on the obverse. The reverse design continued to feature Britannia. During World War I, there were concerns about the metal content of the penny being needed for the war effort. Experiments were conducted using other materials, but bronze remained the standard. The size and weight of the penny remained the same.

Reign of Edward VIII (1936): Although patterns for pennies were produced during Edward VIII’s short reign, no actual coins were released into circulation. These patterns are highly sought after by collectors.

Reign of George VI (1937-1952): The Britannia design was retained on the reverse of the penny during the reign of George VI. The King's portrait replaced Edward VIII's. Significant quantities of pennies were produced throughout the Second World War to facilitate everyday transactions.

Reign of Elizabeth II (1953-1970): With the ascension of Queen Elizabeth II, a new effigy of the Queen was adopted for the obverse of the penny. The reverse continued to feature Britannia. The weight and size of the penny remained consistent. In the 1960s, rising metal prices and inflation led to discussions about the future of the penny. Decimalisation, planned for 1971, would ultimately lead to its demise in its pre-decimal form. The final pre-decimal pennies were minted in 1967-1970, with the 1967 being the last year for general circulation. Although 1968, 1969, and 1970 pennies exist, they were only produced as part of proof sets, signifying the end of an era for the bronze penny.

The period 1901-1970 reflects a time of considerable change and upheaval in British history, mirrored in the design, production, and eventual phasing out of the iconic bronze penny.