Basic Country Data:
Country ISO Code: GB
Official Language: English
Language ISO Code: en
Current Official Currency: Pound Sterling
Current Currency ISO Code: GBP

Currency: Pound Sterling (GBP)

ISO Code: GBP
Designs / Symbols on Coins and Banknotes:

• Coins feature the portrait of the reigning monarch (currently King Charles III) on the obverse and various national emblems on the reverse, including the English rose, Scottish thistle, Welsh leek, and Northern Irish shamrock.

• Banknotes depict notable British historical figures, landmarks, and cultural symbols, with advanced security features. Banknotes are issued by the Bank of England and, in Scotland and Northern Ireland, by authorized banks with distinct designs.
  Singular Name: pound sterling
  Plural Name: pounds sterling
  Monetary Subdivision: 1 pound = 100 pence
  Subdivision Name Singular: penny
  Subdivision Name Plural: pence
  Initial Production Date: circa 760 AD (as silver pennies)
  Final Production Date: ongoing
  Initial Circulation Date: continuous since medieval times
  Final Circulation Date: currently in circulation
  Mint: The Royal Mint (Llantrisant, Wales)
  Issuing Bank: Bank of England (and authorized banks in Scotland and Northern Ireland)
  Coin Denominations: 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1, £2
  Banknote Denominations: £5, £10, £20, £50 (polymer notes in circulation)
  Economic Historical Context:

• The pound sterling is one of the oldest currencies still in use, with origins dating back over 1,200 years.

• It has undergone numerous reforms, decimalization in 1971, and modernization including the introduction of polymer banknotes.

• The UK has maintained its own currency despite being a member of the European Union until 2020 and has not adopted the euro.
  Current Circulation Status: active and widely used throughout the United Kingdom
  Issuing Authority: Bank of England and authorized banks in Scotland and Northern Ireland
  Relevant Monetary Legislation: Currency and Bank Notes Act 1928, Bank of England Act 1998, and related financial regulations

This report presents English as the official language of the United Kingdom and details the pound sterling as the official currency, including its history, denominations, production, and current status.