I can't remember exactly when it was (twenty years ago, maybe?) that the Royal Mint decided to start making a jigsaw from UK coinage, such that each lower denomination coin made no sense; because the "tails" side was henceforth just a fragment from a larger picture.
Given the symbolism and core historical function of coinage; such a childish gimmick was clear evidence of the covert self-loathing of the Establishment; and of the purposively self-destroying motivation of that Western Civilization in which Great Britain played a foundational role.
This is the mockery of a servile managerial class who have given-up even the pretence of legitimate authority; and instead express their sense of smug superiority to the masses by sneering, subversion, and stunts.
I hadn't seen those coins before. They're pretty awful.
ReplyDeleteEvidently, we Brits are at the cutting edge of decline - here, as in so much else.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the Royal Mint's website, the Royal Mint Advisory Committee oversees the design of the coinage. Prince Philip was its President from 1952 to 1999...
ReplyDeleteI really hate to think who might be President now.
@HM - It doesn't really matter who is in charge of institutions nowadays - they don't get to their position unless they will always do whatever fits the totalitarian-destructive agenda.
ReplyDeleteYes --- also two other things (1) most of these coins are so tiny these days, they are not much larger than farthings (2) plated rather than solid metal, to save money (also because, with inflation, the face value of these coins became less than the value of the metal content). Being 61 I'm just old enough to remember paying for my bus fare to/ from primary school with 1/2 d every day.
ReplyDelete@ william a - That's another issue...
ReplyDelete1p, 2p and 5p coins are functionless - so objectively they are much too Big, in that sense.
Indeed, in a way, anything less than 20p is useless nowadays, since there is literally nothing you can buy with it - not even the cheapest chewy bar.
In my childhood, although the farthing had been withdrawn; I seem to recall there were still some sweets that were in-effect priced at a farthing - i.e. two for a halfpenny.
I literally throw-away all my 1, 2, 5, and 10p coins, because I simply can't be bothered with them.
I put small change in an empty coffee jar, when it's full I give it to one of my friends' small kids. For a 8-year-old, it's quite a good haul, also they enjoy counting it. I drop the occasional fifty pence or pound in to induce pleasurable uncertainty. Alternatively, you can put your coins in a sock and prowl the streets, Charles Bronson style.
ReplyDelete