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money

Recognising coins and notes

Identify common coins and notes and compare their values.

Quick answer

You can recognise coins and notes by their size, colour, shape, and value. In the UK, we have coins of 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1, and £2, and notes of £5, £10, £20, and £50. Each one is different and has its own special features.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to recognise and name all the coins and notes in the UK currency system. You will also be able to compare their values and understand which ones are worth more or less. Success signs:
  • You can say the name of each coin and note
  • You can tell which coins or notes are worth the most
  • You can sort coins and notes from smallest to largest value
  • You can match coins to their values

Why this matters

Recognising coins and notes is a very important skill for everyday life. When you go shopping, you need to know how much money you have and how much things cost. This helps you pay the right amount and get the right change. You also use this skill when saving up for a toy, sharing snacks with friends, or counting your pocket money. This skill is also useful in games and activities. For example, if you play a pretend shop, you need to know what coins and notes are real so you can play with them properly. Many board games use money too, and understanding coins helps you win!

How it works

To recognise coins and notes, we look at several things:
  1. Size – Coins and notes come in different sizes. For example, the 1p coin is very small, while the £2 coin is quite big.
  2. Colour – Each coin has its own colour. The 1p coin is silver, the 2p coin is blue and silver, and the £1 coin is gold.
  3. Shape – Some coins are round, others are special shapes. The 50p coin is like a heptagon (a shape with 7 sides), and the £2 coin is round but has a special pattern.
  4. Value – This is how much the coin or note is worth. We write this with p for pence or £ for pounds.

Examples you can see

Let’s look at each coin and note one by one.
Coin/Note Value Size Colour Shape Special Features
1p 1 pence Small Silver Round Has a small hole in the middle
2p 2 pence Small Blue and silver Round Has a special pattern
5p 5 pence Medium Silver Round Has a small hole in the middle
10p 10 pence Medium Silver Round Has a small hole in the middle
20p 20 pence Medium Silver Round Has a small hole in the middle
50p 50 pence Large Silver Heptagon (7 sides) Has a small hole in the middle
£1 1 pound Large Gold Round Has a special pattern on the edge
£2 2 pounds Large Gold Round Has a special pattern on the edge
£5 5 pounds Large Green Rectangle Has a special pattern on the edge
£10 10 pounds Large Blue Rectangle Has a special pattern on the edge
£20 20 pounds Large Red Rectangle Has a special pattern on the edge
£50 50 pounds Large Orange Rectangle Has a special pattern on the edge

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Money Hunt! You are going on a treasure hunt in your house to find all the coins and notes you can. Here’s how to play:
  1. First, look in your pockets, purse, or piggy bank.
  2. Find all the coins and notes you can see.
  3. Sort them into groups: all the 1p coins, all the 2p coins, all the £1 notes, and so on.
  4. Count how many of each you have.
  5. Now, put them in order from the smallest value to the largest value.
  6. Try to find the biggest note or coin you can find.
This is a fun way to learn how much money you already have and how much you can spend.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking that the 1p coin is worth more than the 2p coin.
    Why it happens: Some children think that because 1 is smaller than 2, the 1p coin must be worth more.
    Fix: Remember, the bigger the number, the more money it is worth. So 2p is worth more than 1p.
  • Mistake: Confusing the 50p coin with the £1 coin.
    Why it happens: Both are round and silver, so it's easy to mix them up.
    Fix: Look closely at the shape and colour. The 50p coin is shaped like a heptagon, and the £1 coin is gold.
  • Mistake: Thinking that all coins are the same size.
    Why it happens: When you look at coins, they can look similar.
    Fix: Look at the size and shape carefully. The 1p coin is the smallest, and the £2 coin is the largest.

Parent and carer guide

Parents and carers can help by:
  • Playing a game with your child where you sort coins and notes from smallest to largest value.
  • Using real coins and notes to practice counting and comparing values.
  • Going to the shop together and letting your child count how much money they have.
  • Creating a pretend shop at home and letting your child practice paying with coins and notes.
  • Reading books or watching videos about money to make learning fun.
It’s important to remember that learning about money is a gradual process. Don’t worry if your child doesn’t get it right away. Practice makes progress!

Practice questions

  1. Which coin is worth the least?
  2. Which note is worth the most?
  3. What is the value of a 50p coin?
  4. Which coin is gold in colour?
  5. How many 10p coins make £1?
Answers:
  1. 1p
  2. £50
  3. 50 pence
  4. £1
  5. 10 coins

FAQ

What coins and notes are in the UK?

The UK has coins of 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1, and £2, and notes of £5, £10, £20, and £50.

How can I help my child learn about money?

You can play games with coins, go shopping together, and let your child count money during play or real-life situations.

Are all coins the same size?

No, coins come in different sizes. The 1p coin is the smallest, and the £2 coin is the largest.

Why do coins have different shapes?

Different shapes help people tell coins apart quickly, especially when they are in a hurry or have trouble seeing clearly.

What should I do if my child mixes up coins?

Be patient and help them look closely at each coin. Use sorting games and practice counting to help them understand the differences.