Four concept designs for the new pound coin were considered ahead of the 12-sided pound's release earlier this year, it has been revealed.

Photos obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show the Royal Mint manufactured prototypes of four separate designs, including two bimetallic round coins and two bimetallic 12-sidedcoins.

After consideration, the design for a 12-sided bimetallic silver and gold coin was approved, and it entered production before being released on 28 March 2017.

All designs, each with similar security features, were made as actual coins to review aesthetics as well as comparing varying shapes and colour combinations.

These prototypes weren't given final sizes or dimensions, but were produced to be thick and retain a heavy feel - in keeping with the old 'round pound'.

1. A bimetallic 12-sided coin with silver coloured inner component surrounded by copper coloured outer ring (very similar to the one in circulation but with an outer ring closer to a 2p coin ratherthan the old £1 colour)

2. Bimetallic round coin utilising two similar coloured metals, similar in design to the 10p but with using two rather than one metal

3. A different coloured metal with the same circular design, with a bronze outer circle rather than a silver or gold one. A gold circular design was never shortlisted

4. The final design was the 'bimetallic shaped coin with silver coloured inner component surrounded by gold coloured outer ring'. This is the coin currently in circulation

The Royal Mint was unwilling to disclose the exact security differences between the coins, if there were any, as 'some of the features in rejected coins may in use in other coinage'. Read more:http://metro.co.uk/2017/11/22/concept-designs-for-new-1-coin-revealed-for-first-time-7097443/?ito=cbshare Twitter: https://twitter.com/MetroUK | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetroUK/

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Concept designs for new £1 coin revealed for first time(http://metro.co.uk/2017/11/22/concept-designs-for-new-1-coin-revealed-for-first-time-7097443/)