The first decimal coins were circulated in 1968 these were the five pence 5p and ten pence 10p and had values of one shilling 1 and two shillings 2 respectively under the pre decimal sd system the decimal coins are minted in copper plated steel previously bronze nickel plated steel cupro nickel and nickel brass all the circulating coins have an effigy of queen elizabeth ii on the obverse and various national and regional designs and the denomination on the reverse c