· Written by Connor Jones, Editor
1980s UK Coins Guide: Every Issue with Realised Prices
Every UK coin issued during the 1980s — Elizabeth II. The 1983 New Pence 2p mule rarity, the 1981 Charles & Diana royal-wedding crown, introduction of the bimetallic £2 (1986). Our catalogue holds 67 distinct coin entries spanning standard circulation issues and Royal Mint commemorative variants. Each row links to the catalogue page with live realised prices.
Last updated: 4 May 2026
In brief. 1980s — Elizabeth II.
67 distinct coins in our catalogue. Sortable table below; click any coin
for live realised price data.
Every UK coin from the 1980s
Buy 1980s coins on eBay
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1980s UK coins (BIN) ↗ Year 1980 coins ↗ Year 1989 coins ↗ Royal Mint 1980+ packs ↗
Other decades on MyCoinage
- 1900s coins
- 1910s coins
- 1920s coins
- 1930s coins
- 1940s coins
- 1950s coins
- 1960s coins
- 1970s coins
- 1990s coins
- 2000s coins
- 2010s coins
- 2020s coins
Related guides
- Victoria coins value guide
- George V coins value guide
- Edward VIII coins guide
- Charles III coin guide
- CGT-exempt coins UK
- UK auction house comparison
Frequently asked questions
Which monarchs reigned during the 1980s?
Elizabeth II. See our individual Victoria, George V, Edward VIII and Charles III guides for reign-specific detail.
How many distinct UK coins were issued in the 1980s?
Our catalogue holds 67 distinct coin entries with year_start in this decade, including standard circulation issues and Royal Mint commemorative variants (silver proof, silver piedfort, gold proof, etc.).
What was the most-collected coin from this decade?
The 1983 New Pence 2p mule rarity, the 1981 Charles & Diana royal-wedding crown, introduction of the bimetallic £2 (1986). Use the catalogue table below to browse every coin in detail.
Are coins from this decade still legal tender?
Pre-1971 (pre-decimal) coins were demonetised on 31 December 1992 (1p, 6d, 1s, 2s pre-decimal) and various dates in the 1970s and 1980s for other denominations. Post-decimal coinage (1971+) is still legal tender, though some specific issues (the original large 50p and large 10p) were demonetised when smaller-diameter versions replaced them. All decimal-era coins in our catalogue retain at least face value.
How much is a typical coin from this decade worth?
Common-date circulating coins typically trade at face value to a few pounds in average grade. Royal Mint silver and gold proofs from collector packs trade at £30-300+. Specific key-date and rarity coins (1933 penny, 1925 Wreath threepence, 1971 silver proof set, 2009 Kew Gardens 50p) trade at £100-72,000+ depending on the piece. Click any coin in the table to see live realised auction prices for its grades.
Where can I buy coins from this decade?
For circulated material: eBay UK, local coin fairs (search BNTA fair calendar), or BNTA-member dealers. For sealed Royal Mint packs and slabbed material: Royal Mint direct, BNTA dealers, or specialist UK auction houses (Spink, Baldwin's, London Coins). See our UK auction house comparison.
Are these coins CGT-exempt?
All UK legal-tender coins are exempt from Capital Gains Tax indefinitely — regardless of holding period or capital gain. This includes pre-decimal silver, gold sovereigns, decimal commemoratives, and all Royal Mint legal-tender issues. See our CGT-exempt coins UK guide.
How do I authenticate older coins?
For coins worth £100+, professional grading at PCGS, NGC or CGS UK is the standard. The grading service authenticates the coin and assigns a verified grade in a tamper-evident slab. For lower-value coins, the five-test framework (weight, diameter, edge inspection, magnet test, surface relief) catches 95%+ of fakes. See our how to spot fake British coins guide.