One pound coins were produced toreplace banknotes

It was met by quiet resignation of the local community.

Brian Boston, assistant manager of the Northern Bank, the pieces may be seen as a “novelty item” initially.

Otherwise, he indicated that there had not been a great deal of interest.

Graham Kennedy, assistant manager, of the Carrickbranch of the Trustee Savings Bank, indicated that the bank had not received one query regarding the coin.

The new addition was slightly smaller than a five pence piece, with a Latin inscription “Decus et Tutatem”, meaning “an ornament and a safeguard”.

It was comprised of nickel-brass and came with a milled edge

It replaced the Bank of England one pound note which ceased to be issued at the end of 1984 and was removed from circulation.

Originally, more than 443 million were minted, featuring a depiction of an ornamental royal arms and a profile of Queen Elizabeth II.

One-pound notes continue to be issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland.

in Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man, and Royal Bank of Scotland, but the pound coin is much more widely used.