I think I started a thread like this a few years ago, so I agree with you OP. My proposal was:
- scrap 1p and 2p coins
- make 5p the new bronze coin, i.e single-digit coins are bronze
- keep 10p, 20p and 50p as silver coins, i.e. double-digit coins are silver
- keep £1 and £2 as gold and introduce a £5 coin as gold, i.e. triple-digit coins are gold
- keep £10 and £20 as notes and make the £50 note more common
There is no need for 99p stores. Have them as pound stores, like Poundland. Other items sold as 99p would be either £1 or 95p, or £4.95 etc. Postage stamps would be in multiples of 5p. Pick 'n' mix would be weighed as multiples of 5p.
The stock market would be exempt because share prices have decimal points e.g. 99.1p per share.
Pretty much agree with all of that, though I'd perhaps consider having both the 5p and 10p as small and large bronze coins as per the current 1p/2p, I'm not sure colour coordinating with digits matters much so long as the coins are distinct; bronze/thin/small = lower value seems fine.
Also, scrap the 20p in favour of a US-style "quarter"/25p coin as a round silver coin... maybe in a similar shape/size to the current 10p coins. There are some silver 25p coins from the 80s but they're massive and are a sort of continuation of the old "crown" coins. There are also more modern gold coins with a nominal 25p value in the form of quarter soverigns.
£5 coins already exist too - these are also large round silver coins like the old "crown" coins and perhaps a more appropriate face value a coin like that, they're also just issued as commemorative coins though would be cool to have some in circulation. I think it's fine to have those in sivler, they're larger than the part silver/part gold £1 and £2 coins.
Also agree re: the non-retail goods and services "issues" - so long as shops and restaraunts etc.. use 5p multiples in procing (inc VAT) then it's not a drama, it's not like you pay your taxes or transfer funds to and from your stockbroker using coins/notes.
So instant 5% inflation then? Great idea!!!!!!!!
Not necessarily - if you have something at 9.99 or indeed 99.99 it could well be deemed better to price it at 9.95 or 99.95 than 10.95 or 100.95.
It's hardly a big deal, I don't see how it's going to add 5% to inflation, if a retailer thinks they can get away with sticking £1 (or 96p) on the value of an item they don't really need an excuse to do so.