Lot #539: Jersey 1971 One New Penny Coin - Le Hocq Tower - Bailiwick of Jersey - Channel Islands Dependency

Obverse: Features the "Second Portrait" of Queen Elizabeth II by Arnold Machin. The Queen faces right, wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara. The inscription reads QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND to the left and BAILIWICK OF JERSEY to the right. Reverse: Features the Le Hocq Tower, a historic coastal defense tower (Martello-style) located in the parish of St. Clement. The design is by Christopher Ironside. The inscription reads NEW PENNY at the top with the denomination 1 and the date 1971 at the bottom. This Channel Islands 1971 Jersey One New Penny coin marked the island's transition to decimal currency. As a British Crown Dependency, Jersey issued its own coinage which, while pegged to the British pound sterling, features distinct local iconography. The 1971 issue is the very first year of the decimal series. This was the "decimal day" issue for Jersey. The term "New Penny" was used to help the public distinguish the coin from the old pre-decimal pennies. This label remained on the 1p until 1980, when it was replaced by "One Penny." Le Hocq Tower was built in 1778 as part of a series of towers to protect the island from French invasion. Its inclusion on the first decimal penny highlights Jersey's long military and coastal heritage. Dimensions: Bronze. 20.3 mm. 3.6 g. Pickup category timeslot {A}