List of people on coins of the United Kingdom facts for kids

Have you ever wondered who appears on the coins you use every day in the United Kingdom? This list tells you about the famous people whose faces or symbols have been featured on UK coins. The current King or Queen always appears on the 'heads' side (called the obverse) of all coins. So, most of the people on this list are shown on the 'tails' side (called the reverse). The names and titles used are how the person was known when the coin was made, or when they passed away. This list doesn't include Britannia, a famous symbol of Britain, even though she has been on many coins too.

Famous Faces on UK Coins

Jane Austen

• Jane Austen (born 1775)
  • 2017: A two pound coin was made to mark 200 years since the death of this famous writer.

Important Figures: B

• Sir Roger Bannister (1929–2018)
  • 2004: A fifty pence coin celebrated 50 years since he ran the first four-minute mile. His face was not shown on this coin.
• Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806–1859)
  • 2006: A Two pound coin was released to mark 200 years since the birth of this amazing engineer.

Important Figures: C

• Edith Cavell (1865–1915)
  • 2015: A Five pound coin was made to remember 100 years since the start of World War I.
• Charles III (born 1948; as Charles, Prince of Wales)
  • 1981: A Twenty-five pence coin marked his wedding to Lady Diana Spencer.
  • 1998: A five pound coin celebrated his 50th birthday.
  • 2008: Another five pound coin marked his 60th birthday.

As the current King, his picture now appears on the 'heads' side of all new coins. This started with a 2022 50p coin that remembered the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

• Sir Winston Churchill (1874–1965)
  • 1965: A Crown coin was made to mark his death.
  • 2015: A five pound coin celebrated the 50th anniversary of his death.

Important Figures: D

• Charles Darwin (1809–1882)
  • 2009: A two pound coin marked 200 years since the birth of this famous scientist.
• Diana, Princess of Wales (1961–1997)
  • 1981: A twenty-five pence coin celebrated her wedding to Prince Charles.
  • 1999: A five pound coin was released after her death in 1997.

Important Figures: E

• Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (1900–2002)
  • 1980: A twenty-five pence coin marked her 80th birthday.
  • 2000: A five pound coin celebrated her 100th birthday.
• Queen Elizabeth I (1533–1603)
  • 2008: A five pound coin marked 450 years since she became Queen.
• Queen Elizabeth II (1926–2022)
  • 1973: A fifty pence coin marked the UK joining the EEC (European Economic Community). Only her hand was shown on this coin.

Important Figures: G

Saint George has been featured on the gold sovereign coin since 1817.

• Saint George (died 303)
  • 1817–: He has been featured on the Gold sovereign coin.
  • 1817–: He has also appeared on the Half sovereign coin.
  • 2009–: He has been featured on the Quarter sovereign.

Important Figures: H

• King Henry VIII (1491–1547)
  • 2009: A five pound coin marked 500 years since he became King.

Important Figures: J

• King John
  • 2015: A two pound coin celebrated the 800th Anniversary of Magna Carta, a very important document in history.

Important Figures: K

• Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener
  • 2014: A two pound coin marked 100 years since the start of the First World War.

Important Figures: N

• Admiral Horatio Nelson (1758–1805)
  • 2005: A five pound coin marked 200 years since the death of this famous admiral.

Important Figures: P

• Beatrix Potter
  • 2016: A 50 pence coin marked 150 years since the birth of this beloved children's author. Her image was not shown on this coin.
• Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (1921–2021)
  • 1997: A five pound coin marked 50 years since his marriage to Queen Elizabeth II. He was shown on the 'heads' side of this coin.
  • 2007: Another five pound coin marked 60 years since his marriage to Queen Elizabeth II. He was also shown on the 'heads' side.
  • 2011: A five pound coin celebrated his 90th birthday.

Important Figures: V

• Queen Victoria (1819–1901)
  • 2001: A five pound coin marked 100 years since her death.

See also

• List of people on coins of the United Kingdom colonies