What To Do With Old One Pound Coins

Ah, the one pound coin. That sturdy, circular symbol of our nation's economic might, or at least, what it used to be. We've all got them, haven't we? Those little copper (or rather, bimetallic nowadays) friends lurking in jars, in the depths of our handbags, and sometimes, mysteriously, down the back of the sofa. They were once kings of the realm, but their reign is over. So, what on earth do we do with all these now-obsolete beauties?

Let's be honest, the old one pound coin is like that one friend who insists on wearing flared trousers to a modern art exhibition. It's charming, it has character, but it just doesn't quite fit in anymore. The new shiny one, with its 12 sides and futuristic feel, has taken centre stage. And our beloved old circles? They're left in the wings, wondering if they'll ever get their chance to shine again.

For a while, we were all frantically trying to offload them. Supermarket trolleys were overloaded with pounds. Every single purchase felt like a grand farewell ceremony. "One loaf of bread, and this final, glorious pound coin, farewell my friend!" We'd say, perhaps a little too dramatically.

But the deadline passed. And still, they remain. A silent, metallic testament to our hoarding tendencies. It’s like finding an old Tamagotchi in a forgotten drawer. You remember the good times, the frantic button-mashing, but what do you do with it now?

My personal, and I admit, slightly unpopular opinion is this: we should embrace the old pound coin as a collectible. Yes, you heard me. Not just a coin, but a piece of history. Think of it as a tiny, edible (not really, please don't eat them) souvenir of a bygone era. It’s got that lovely, comforting weight to it, doesn't it? Much more satisfying than those flimsy new ones. They were the real deal!

Imagine your grandchildren, generations from now, sifting through your belongings. They find a dusty jar. Inside, a shimmering hoard of round, old pound coins. "Grandma," they’ll exclaim, their eyes wide with wonder, "what are these magnificent discs?" And you, with a twinkle in your eye, can tell them tales of the days when this was the pound. Not that fancy, multi-sided imposter!

Of course, I'm not suggesting you'll be retiring on your collection of retired pound coins. Let's not get carried away. But there's a certain nostalgia attached to them. They were the coins we used to buy that first dodgy kebab after a night out. The coins that paid for that slightly-too-expensive cinema ticket. The coins that funded countless bus journeys and sweetie shop raids.

So, my first suggestion for your hoard of elderly pounds is simple: The Nostalgia Jar. Get a nice, clear jar. Decorate it if you're feeling artsy. Then, simply deposit every old pound coin you find into it. It's a visual representation of your own personal history. Every coin tells a story, even if that story is just "I bought a packet of crisps with this one."

Another, slightly more practical, use? Why, they make excellent little desk ornaments! They have a certain gravitas, a solid presence. Pop one on your desk. It can serve as a paperweight, a tiny, metallic stress ball you can absentmindedly fiddle with, or simply a conversation starter. "Oh, this old thing?" you'll say, picking it up. "This is what a pound used to look like. Simpler times."

And what about those annoying parking meters that haven't been updated? Some of them, bless their outdated hearts, might still accept them. A true act of rebellion, wouldn't you say? Paying for your parking with a coin that’s officially out of circulation. It’s a small act of defiance against the march of progress. A little wink to the machine that says, "I remember the good old days, and so do you!"

Here's a thought that might raise a few eyebrows: use them for games. Board games, anyone? Those old pound coins are the perfect size for tokens. Forget those fiddly little cardboard discs. Imagine a game of Monopoly where you're trading in actual, tangible pounds. It adds a whole new level of authenticity. Or perhaps a game of poker where the stakes are considerably lower, but the bragging rights of using an old pound coin are infinitely higher.

Think about it. You're playing a family board game. Little Timmy is struggling. He needs a few extra quid to buy that property. You slide him a smooth, round, old pound coin. "Here you go, son," you say, with a knowing smile. "This one's got a bit of history." He'll probably just see it as money, but you'll know the truth.

What about art? I'm not saying you should glue them all to a canvas and call it a masterpiece. Although, if you do, please send me a picture. But you could use them as part of a larger project. A mosaic perhaps? A very shiny, very circular mosaic.

And then there's the ultimate, and perhaps the most liberating, option: The "Found Money" Fund. Every time you find an old pound coin in an unexpected place – a coat pocket, a forgotten purse, the abyss that is your car's cup holder – deposit it into a separate, dedicated pot. This isn't just any money; this is bonus money. It's the universe rewarding you for your excellent coin-finding skills.

What do you do with the Found Money Fund? Treat yourself! A coffee, a nice pastry, a new book. It's money you didn't technically earn through work, but through sheer luck and excellent housekeeping (or lack thereof, depending on how you look at it). It’s guilt-free spending, powered by obsolete currency.

My truly unpopular opinion? The new pound coin is a bit of a traitor. It’s sleek, it’s modern, it’s efficient, sure. But does it have that same satisfying clunk when you drop it into a charity box? Does it have the same comforting heft when you’re counting out your change? I think not.

The old pound coin was a survivor. It was a constant in a changing world. It was there through economic booms and busts, through political shifts and social revolutions. And now, it’s retired. It’s earned its rest.

So, next time you unearth a forgotten pound coin, don't despair. Don't sigh and wonder about the bank or the post office. Instead, smile. Give it a little polish. Think of the memories it holds. Then, decide its new destiny. Be it a paperweight, a gaming token, a historical artifact for your grandkids, or simply a reminder of a simpler time. Embrace the obsolescence. Celebrate the circle. The old pound coin, in its own quiet way, is still worth something.

And who knows, maybe one day, those fancy new multi-sided coins will be the ones cluttering up our drawers. The world turns, trends change, and what’s old becomes new again. Until then, let's give our round, sturdy friends the send-off they deserve. A send-off filled with humor, nostalgia, and perhaps, a slightly rebellious parking meter.

Disclaimer: Please check with your bank or the Royal Mint for official guidance on returning or exchanging old currency. My suggestions are purely for entertainment and a lighthearted look at a common modern-day dilemma. Do not attempt to pay for anything with these coins that might cause an inconvenience!

Ultimately, the fate of your old pound coins is in your hands. Will you let them gather dust? Or will you give them a new lease of life, a life filled with stories, laughter, and perhaps, a touch of quirkiness? The choice, my friends, is yours. And I, for one, am choosing the quirky path. Because life's too short to be serious about obsolete currency.