Coins of the Manx pound
The official coinage of the Isle of Man are denominated in Manx pounds. From 1971 to 2016, coins of the Isle of Man were minted by Pobjoy Mint Limited.[1] Since 2017, coins of the Isle of Man are minted by the Tower Mint.
Due to matching appearance and value of pound sterling coins, these coins often appear in circulation within the United Kingdom. However, they are not legal tender there. Conversely, the Isle of Man does recognise pound sterling coins.
As well as producing non-circulating commemorative designs, the Isle of Man regularly changes the designs on the circulating coins. One reason for this is to increase sales to collectors, which can be an important source of income in small countries.
The Manx pound matches the pound sterling and went decimal in 1971, with the UK, however since this date the Isle of Man has been at the forefront of coin innovation:[2] The £1 coin was introduced on the Isle of Man in 1978, 5 years before the United Kingdom's equivalent,[3] and there is currently a circulating £5 coin.[1]
Below are descriptions of some of the different designs in circulation from the Isle of Man. This page does not cover non-circulating commemorative designs, such as the traditional Christmas 50 pence coins each year and the various crowns.[1]
One penny
1971-1975: Celtic cross
|
1976-1979: Manx Loaghtan sheep
|
1980-1983: Manx cat
|
1984-1987: European shag
|
1988-1995: Industry
|
1996-1999: Rugby
|
2000-2003: Keeill (native Manx chapel)
|
2004-2012: Santon War Memorial |
Two pence
1971-1975: Pair of hawking birds
|
1976-1979: Manx shearwater (bird)
|
1980-1983: Red-billed chough (bird)
|
1984-1987: Peregrine falcon
|
1988-1995: Celtic cross
|
1996-1999: Cycling
|
2000-2003: Manx lugger fishing boat
|
2004-2012: Albert Tower, Ramsey |
Five pence
Large size
1971-1975: Castle by the sea
|
1976-1979: Laxey Wheel
|
1980-1983: Manx Loaghtan sheep
|
1984-1987: Cushag (flower)
|
1988-1989: Windsurfing
|
Small size
1990-1993: Windsurfing
|
1996-1999: Golf
|
2000-2003: Gaut's cross
|
2004-2012: Tower of Refuge |
2017-: Manx Shearwater |
Ten pence
Large size
1971-1975: Triskeles
|
1976-1979: Triskeles with map
|
1980-1983: Gyrfalcon
|
1984-1987: Manx Loagthan Ram
|
1988-1991: Technology on globe
|
Small size
1992-1995: Triskeles
|
2000-2003: St. German's Cathedral
|
2004-2012: Chicken Rock lighthouse |
2017-: Manx Cat |
Twenty pence
1982-1983: Medieval Norse armoury
|
1984-1987: Atlantic herring
|
1988-1992: Combine harvester (no border)
|
1993-1995: Combine harvester (thick border)
|
1996-1999: Rallying
|
2000-2003: Rushen Abbey
|
2004-2012: Rushen Castle clock |
2017-: Viking-era Longboat |
Fifty pence
Large size - standard design
1971-1975: Viking longship on sea
|
1976-1979: Viking longship with map
|
1980-1983: Viking longship
|
1984-1987: Viking longship in shield
|
1988-1997: Computer age |
Large size - commemorative issues
1979: Tynwald Day - Commemorating the millennial anniversary of Tynwald's establishment
|
1981: Isle of Man TT race commemorative issue - Joey Dunlop
|
1982: Isle of Man TT race commemorative issue - Mick Grant
|
1983: Isle of Man TT race commemorative issue - Ron Haslam
|
1984: Isle of Man TT race commemorative issue - Mick Boddice
|
1994: Commemorating the centenary of the Legislative Building in Douglas, meeting place of the Tynwald
|
Small size
1997–1999: Isle of Man TT races - commemorating the centenary of the island's famous TT races
|
2000-2003: Pre-Norse carved cross
|
2004-2012: Milner's Tower |
2017-: Manx Loagthan |
Small size - Commemorative issues
1999: Isle of Man TT race commemorative issue - Leslie Graham
|
2004, 2007: Isle of Man TT race commemorative issue - Tourist Trophy
|
2007: Isle of Man TT race commemorative issue - Celebrating 100 years of races, featuring Dave Molyneux
|
2009: Isle of Man TT race commemorative issue - Honda 50th Anniversary of World Championship Racing |
One pound
2000-2003: Millennium bells |
2004-2012: Tynwald Hill and St. John's chapel,
|
2017-: Peregrine Falcon and Raven |
Two pounds
2000-2003: Thorwald's cross-slab |
2004-2012: Peel Castle |
2017-: Tower of Refuge |
Five pounds
2000-2003: St. Patrick's hymn
|
2004-2012: Laxey Wheel,
|
2017-: Triskelion |
References
- Isle of Man circulating decimal coins Archived 15 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Pobjoy Mint Limited
- Governments served by Pobjoy Mint Limited Archived 24 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine, Pobjoy Mint Limited
- Isle of Man coins, World Coin Gallery
- Circulating coins Archived 11 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine, Isle of Man Government - Treasury Department
- TT fifty pence Archived 1 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine, Pobjoy Mint Limited