Coins of the Manx pound facts for kids

The Isle of Man has its own special money called the Manx pound. It's just like the British pound in value and looks, but it's used officially on the Isle of Man. From 1971 to 2016, a company called Pobjoy Mint made these coins. Since 2017, another company, Tower Mint, has been making them.

Sometimes, you might find Manx coins mixed in with regular British coins in the United Kingdom. They look very similar! However, Manx coins are not official money in the UK. But don't worry, British coins are accepted on the Isle of Man.

The Isle of Man likes to be creative with its coins. They often change the pictures on the coins you use every day. They also make special collector coins that aren't meant for spending.

The Manx pound started using a decimal system (like our modern money with 100 pence in a pound) in 1971, just like the UK. But the Isle of Man was ahead of its time with some coins! For example, they introduced their £1 coin in 1978, which was five years before the UK got its own. They even have a £5 coin that you can use!

Let's explore some of the cool designs you might find on Manx coins.

One Penny Coins

These small coins have featured many interesting designs over the years.

• 1971-1975: Celtic Cross

This coin shows a Celtic cross, which is a special type of cross with a circle around the middle. It's made from winding patterns.

• 1976-1979: Manx Loaghtan Sheep

You'll see a Manx Loaghtan sheep on this coin. This is a unique type of sheep native to the Isle of Man, known for having multiple horns! The coin also shows a small outline of the island in the background.

• 1980-1983: Manx Cat

This design features a Manx cat, famous for having no tail! The cat is looking out from the coin, surrounded by swirling patterns.

• 1988-1995: Industry

This coin shows a large industrial machine, possibly a lathe, with a big gear in the background. It represents the island's industries. The inscription says "ellan vannin," which is the Manx name for the Isle of Man.

• 1996-1999: Rugby

A large rugby ball is shown between goalposts, celebrating the sport.

• 2004-2016: Santon War Memorial

This coin features the war memorial in Santon, a parish on the island. It's a tall monument topped with a cross. You'll also see the Triskelion, the Isle of Man's symbol of three legs, on this coin.

Two Pence Coins

The two pence coin has also had a variety of designs.

• 1971-1975: Hawking Birds

This coin shows two peregrine falcons wearing special hoods and bells, sitting on a perch.

• 1976-1979: Manx Shearwater

You'll see a Manx shearwater bird flying high above an outline of the Isle of Man. This bird is native to the island.

• 1980-1983: Red-billed Chough

This coin features a red-billed chough, another bird often seen on the island, shown in flight with decorative patterns.

• 1996-1999: Cycling

This design shows two cyclists riding downhill, celebrating the popular sport on the island.

• 2000-2003: Manx Fishing Boat

This coin shows a Manx sailboat, called a lugger, on choppy waters. The words "CLASHT ROOIN, O HIARN" are on the coin, which means "Hear us, O Lord" in Manx.

• 2004-2016: Albert Tower, Ramsey

This coin features the Albert Tower in Ramsey, a square tower with the sea and a ship in the background.

Five Pence Coins

The five pence coin has been made in two sizes over the years.

Large Size Five Pence

• 1971-1975: Castle by the Sea

An old castle with turrets stands by the sea on this coin.

• 1976-1979: Laxey Wheel

This coin shows the famous Laxey Wheel, a very large waterwheel in the village of Laxey, with the island's outline behind it.

• 1980-1983: Manx Loaghtan Sheep

Another design featuring the unique Manx Loaghtan sheep, walking with its head turned back.

• 1988-1989: Windsurfing

This coin shows a windsurfer riding waves, celebrating water sports.

Small Size Five Pence

• 1990-1993: Windsurfing

The windsurfing design continued on the smaller five pence coin.

• 1996-1999: Golf

This coin shows a golf ball falling into a hole, with a golfer in the background.

• 2000-2003: Gaut's Cross

This design features a detailed and ancient Manx Celtic cross carving made by a Scandinavian artist named Gaut.

• 2004-2016: Tower of Refuge

This coin shows the Tower of Refuge, a small castle-like building in the sea, built to help shipwrecked sailors.

• 2017: Manx Shearwater

The Manx Shearwater bird returned to the five pence coin.

• 2023: Manx Shearwater (50th Anniversary)

A special design celebrating 50 years of the Manx Wildlife Trust, featuring the Manx Shearwater.

Ten Pence Coins

The ten pence coin also changed size.

Large Size Ten Pence

• 1971-1975: Triskeles

This coin features the Triskeles, the official symbol of the Isle of Man, which looks like three running legs joined at the center.

• 1976-1979: Triskeles with Map

The Triskeles symbol is shown again, this time with an outline of the Isle of Man in the background.

• 1980-1983: Gyrfalcon

This coin shows a Gyrfalcon, a large bird of prey, perched on a branch.

Small Size Ten Pence

• 1992-1995: Triskeles

The Triskeles symbol is featured again. The coin also has the Latin motto of the Isle of Man: "QUOCONQUE JECERIS STABIT," which means "Whichever way you throw it, it will stand."

• 2000-2003: St. German's Cathedral

This coin shows the ruins of the old 13th-century cathedral on St. Patrick's Isle, part of Peel Castle.

• 2004-2016: Chicken Rock Lighthouse

This design features the Chicken Rock lighthouse, a tall lighthouse on a rocky base in the sea.

• 2017: Manx Cat

The Manx cat returned to the ten pence coin.

• 2023: Lesser Mottled Grasshopper (50th Anniversary)

A special design for the Manx Wildlife Trust anniversary, showing a Lesser Mottled Grasshopper.

Twenty Pence Coins

The twenty pence coin has also had many designs.

• 1982-1983: Norse Armoury

This coin shows a collection of medieval Norse (Viking) armour and weapons, including a helmet, shield, and swords. A Viking ship is even on the shield!

• 1984-1987: Atlantic Herring

Three Atlantic herring fish are swimming on this coin.

• 1988-1995: Combine Harvester

This design features a combine harvester in a field, representing agriculture. Later versions of this coin added a thick border around the image.

• 1996-1999: Rallying

This coin shows two rally cars, a Subaru Impreza and a Ford Escort Cosworth, racing around a bend.

• 2000-2003: Rushen Abbey

This design shows a monk working on a manuscript at a desk, with light shining from a window, representing Rushen Abbey.

• 2004-2016: Castle Rushen Clock

This coin features the clock face from Castle Rushen, a historic castle on the island.

• 2017: Viking-era Longboat

A design showing a longboat from the Viking era.

• 2023: Mountain Hare (50th Anniversary)

A special design for the Manx Wildlife Trust anniversary, featuring a Mountain Hare.

Fifty Pence Coins

The fifty pence coin has had both standard and special commemorative designs.

Large Size - Standard Designs

• 1971-1987: Viking Longship

Early fifty pence coins featured a Viking longship sailing on the sea. Some designs showed sailors and steering oars, and later ones included an outline of the Isle of Man.

• 1988-1997: Computer Age

This design shows an early computer with a simple Triskelion symbol on its screen, representing technology.

Large Size - Commemorative Issues

The Isle of Man often makes special 50p coins to celebrate important events.

• 1979: Tynwald Day

This coin celebrated 1,000 years of Tynwald, the island's parliament. It shows a Viking longship with a lighthouse and a special wheel on its sail.

• 1981-1984: Isle of Man TT Race

Several coins were made to celebrate the famous Isle of Man TT motorcycle races. These coins feature motorcycles leaning into corners, often with laurel wreaths. Some even show specific famous riders like Joey Dunlop and Mick Grant.

• 1994: Legislative Building Centenary

This coin marked 100 years of the Legislative Building in Douglas, where Tynwald meets. It shows the building above a sword.

Small Size - Standard Designs

• 1997-1999: Isle of Man TT Races

This design celebrated 100 years of the TT races, showing two motorcycles racing around a bend.

• 2000-2003: Pre-Norse Carved Cross

This coin features an ancient carved cross, representing Christianity on the island.

• 2004-2016: Milner's Tower

This design shows Milner's Tower, a square tower with a round side turret.

• 2017: Manx Loaghtan

The Manx Loaghtan sheep returned to the 50p coin.

• 2023: Peregrine Falcon (50th Anniversary)

A special design for the Manx Wildlife Trust anniversary, featuring a Peregrine Falcon.

Small Size - Commemorative Issues

• 1999: Isle of Man TT Race - Leslie Graham

Another TT race coin, featuring motorcycle rider Leslie Graham.

• 2004, 2007: Isle of Man TT Race - Tourist Trophy

This coin shows the actual Isle of Man TT trophy.

• 2007: Isle of Man TT Race - 100 Years

This coin celebrated 100 years of the races, featuring a motorcycle and sidecar.

• 2009: Isle of Man TT Race - Honda 50th Anniversary

A special coin celebrating 50 years of Honda's racing history, showing a Honda motorcycle.

One Pound Coins

The Isle of Man introduced its £1 coin before the UK!

• 2000-2003: Millennium Bells

This coin features the Triskelion symbol with three church bells placed between its legs.

• 2004-2016: Tynwald Hill and St. John's Chapel

This design shows Tynwald Hill, a special stepped mound where laws are announced, and St. John's chapel nearby.

• 2017: Peregrine Falcon and Raven

This coin features two birds, a Peregrine Falcon and a Raven.

• 2023: Grey Seal (50th Anniversary)

A special design for the Manx Wildlife Trust anniversary, featuring a Grey Seal.

Two Pounds Coins

The two pounds coin also has unique designs.

• 2000-2003: Thorwald's Cross-Slab

This coin features a design from a 10th-century cross, showing a scene from the Norse myth of Ragnarök.

• 2004-2016: Peel Castle

This design shows the large round tower of Peel Castle, a historic castle on an island connected to Peel.

• 2017: Tower of Refuge

The Tower of Refuge appears on the two pounds coin.

• 2023: Basking Shark (50th Anniversary)

A special design for the Manx Wildlife Trust anniversary, featuring a Basking Shark.

Five Pounds Coins

The Isle of Man is one of the few places with a circulating £5 coin!

• 2000-2003: St. Patrick's Hymn

This coin features a stylized cross of St. Patrick.

• 2004-2016: Laxey Wheel

This design shows the famous Laxey Wheel, the huge waterwheel in Laxey.

• 2017: Triskelion

The Triskelion symbol is featured on the five pounds coin.

• 2023: Queen Scallop (50th Anniversary)

A special design for the Manx Wildlife Trust anniversary, featuring a Queen Scallop.