2015 Genuine Royal Mint Trial £1 Coin

2015 Genuine Royal Mint Trial £1 Coin

What Is A Trial Piece Coin?

A Trial Piece is a coin that has been issued as a specimen or sample for new or revised coinage. These coins may be released to show a new portrait, pattern design or shape. The trial piece can be made for a variety of reasons including:

• to test the structure of the coin
• to test the metal composition of the coin
• to ensure that the components of a coin fit securely
• to test coin dies
• to demonstrate the details of a new portrait or coin design
• to be approved by officials such as The Queen, the Chancellor and other important executives
• For commercial or industrial testing and familiarity.

Often, trial pieces are struck in lead or a similar soft metal so that minor alterations may be made before the dies are completed. There may be a number of stages to a trial piece as further changes may be made. This enables the mint to make alterations and get approval before commencing the production run of the new coin or coins.

A number of variations of the trial piece coin may be produced until it is ready for approval. Once the trial piece has been approved, they will be struck and distributed.

A trial piece was issued for the new twelve sided one pound coin. They were issued to manufacturers, banks and retailers who needed to recalibrate and adapt coin handling machinery for sizing or weighing equipment such as vending machines, parking meters, ticket machines, coin lockers and self service tills. They were also sent out to institutions such as banks, supermarkets and handlers of coinage who needed to educate their staff about the details of the new coin.