England 5 pence

5 pence, 1970

Note the "new pence" legend on the reverse. The 5 new pence came out in circulation in 1968 when the currency was changed to decimal system from the old system. The "new pence" featured on the coins till 1980 and in 1982 it was replaced by 5 pence.

5 pence, 1988
5 pence, 2001

Weight: 3.25gm
Metal: copper-nickel
Diameter: 18mm
Reverse: crowned thistle

Thistle is a common name given to a group of flowering plants characterized by leaves with sharp prickles on the margins. The thistle is an ancient Celtic symbol of nobility: by character and by birth, and hurting a thistle invokes some punishment. In one story, a barefoot Viking attacker stepped on a thistle and cried out, alerting the defenders. The thistle is the national flower of Scotland for hitherto unknown reasons.

5 pence, 2008

The latest 5 pence coin features a segment of the royal shield, and the new coin set is supposed to remake the shield when placed together.