information aesthetics

These coins are quite gorgeous, really better than previously. But indeed, won't they finally come to the Euro ? This design may take place only for a few years, thus it surely will become valuable coins.

And thanks for this blog, your infographics links are often useful to visualize problems by an other point of view.

It seems a bit sad indeed, how obsolete these designs seem at this point in time.

Well, aside from the idea of moving on to the euro at some point in time, I have to say that I find this design unpractical.

All the coins together form the puzzle. Fine. Dandy too!
But shouldn't the 'task' at hand be to deliver information in a quick (at a glance) and unambiguous manner (we're talking about money, after all) ?

Yes, each coin includes the denomination written out in English (and if you don't know English, we won't print the value in numerical form because you should learn English before doing business with us, I guess), but that's hardly 'prominent' on the coin.

I can only hope that the other side of each coin is much more 'direct' in its delivery.

(not that I mind heraldic symbols, nor puzzles - but I don't want to play with my money !)

I agree with f.o.r. The absence of numerical info on the coins is very strange, saying that, neither the current 1 pound nor 2 pound coins have numbers so it is not without precident. The designer says "I found the idea that members of the public could interact with the coins the most exciting aspect of this concept." I suspect that being unable to determine the value of the coin is not the interaction he expected. The only thing on the other side of the coins is the Queen's head, so no help there. btw it is not just non english speakers who will have problems, pre-litterate children will not be able to check there change when they buy things, nor check their pocket money, how about dislexics...

The designer says "I found the idea that members of the public could interact with the coins the most exciting aspect of this concept." I find such an attitude amazing and it's the sort of expression beloved by the pretentious, arty-farty brigade. Joe Public hasn't the slightest interest in "interacting" with our coins. They are for spending and need to be clearly marked with their value. The lack of numerical identification is just ridiculous.