1971 saw the burying of Blue Peter’s first time capsule, the first Reading Festival, and the opening of the infamous Spaghetti Junction in Birmingham. It also featured the release of the first decimal annual set from The Royal Mint, featuring six 1971 UK decimal coins, struck to proof standard. This set features the then new Fifty Pence piece, a Ten Pence piece, a Five Pence piece, a Two Pence piece, a One Pence piece and a Halfpenny, all with the date 1971, alongside a special rectangular Royal Mint medal. On 15 February in this year the UK formally decimalised its currency. Several of these coins had come into circulation before Decimal Day itself and would circulate for a few more years alongside old pre-decimal currency. This set is a snapshot of a momentous moment in British numismatic history and makes a great gift for those who remember it. These coins have the same base metal composition as contemporary decimal coinage issued for circulation in this year and feature the same designs, including Arnold Machin’s portrait of Her Majesty the Queen to the obverse. The difference is in their proof finish, achieved with hand-polished dies and multiple strikes, resulting in a higher level of detail. This set comes in its original clear plastic, double-sided slab, enabling you to view obverse and reverse without damaging the coins. This is enclosed within a decorative card presentation envelope with eye-catching metallic dot lettering to the exterior. Please note that the coins in these 1971 annual sets may display varying degrees of toning, typical for sets of this age.