Guide
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 70 distinct coin entries spanning standard circulation issues and Royal Mint commemorative variants. Each row links to the catalogue page with live realised prices.
Reviewed by Connor Jones, Editor
Last updated:
In brief. 1980s, Elizabeth II.
70 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 70 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.
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