There are some brilliant hidden features on the new £1 coins

Coming to a purse near you

By Jadie Troy-Pryde

It's the day we've all been waiting for! But if you're not one of the people celebrating payday, then fear not because something equally exciting is also happening today that everyone can enjoy... it's the release of the brand new 12-sided £1 coins, of course.

The Royal Mint is releasing 300 million of them today. The new pound coin looks totally different, and as sad as we are to wave goodbye to circle of golden goodness, we are very excited about the hidden security features in the replacement.

It has been reported that the new £1 has many high-tech additions - from a hologram image, micro-sized lettering inside both rims and a material inside the coin that will prevent counterfeits being circulated.

Thanks to all these security measures, the Royal Mint are claiming that it's the 'most secure coin in the world'. Fancy.

Adam Lawrence, chief executive of the Royal Mint said: 'It's been designed to be fit for the future, using security features that aim to safeguard our currency, and currencies around the world, for years to come.'

You'll still be able to use the regular round £1 coins until 15th October 2017, so before you start loading up on the new ones you might want to use this guide to spot how much your £1 coin is really worth.