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stolen pound
2018
Copper penny coins

With copper prices rising during the late 20th Century the UK government realised that the face value of one and two penny coins was being overtaken by the value of the copper they were made from. In response the Royal Mint changed the coin composition from 97% copper to copper plated steel in September 1992. However, some of the older ‘higher value’ coins remain in circulation.

Carefully collected over a number of years ‘stolen pound’ consists of a long line of original copper penny coins. Together 280 coins form a 1kg rod of material, which currently has a scrap value of approx. £3.80. Therefore, the stolen pound isn’t the coins themselves, but the value that has been taken from the material by turning it into currency.

The value of the copper will rise and fall in line with the metal commodities market, as such the length of the sculpture will be adjusted over time to equate to one pound of stolen value.