- Produced by The Royal Mint.
- Struck in bronze.
- 1953 was the first year in which this version of the One Penny coin was released, marking the start of the reign for Queen Elizabeth II, after officially ascending to the throne on 6th February 1952.
- The reverse of the coin depicts the figure of Britannia, the female personification of Great Britain and the United Kingdom, symbolising strength, unity and maritime power.
- Reimagined by Leonard Charles Wyon, the Britannia on the reverse of the coin is the fourth version of the design to appear on coinage in the United Kingdom.
- The design on the reverse of the coin shows the figure of Britannia, seated and facing right, wearing a Corinthian helmet and dress while holding a trident in her left hand with the right hand, resting on a shield with the Union Jack flag.
- First appearing on Victorian bronze Penny coins in 1860 and removed in 1895, the depiction of a lighthouse appears in the background to the left of the figure of Britannia, introduced on the coinage in 1937 for King George VI.
- The depiction of the lighthouse is in recognition of the Eddystone Lighthouse located in Devon, England, the first lighthouse built using interlocking stones to successfully withstand severe storms, being celebrated as a marvel of British engineering.
- The inscription for the denomination of 'ONE PENNY', is shown around the depiction of Britannia, on the reverse of the coin.
- The year '1953', is shown on the reverse of the coin, below the depiction of Britannia.
- Designed by Mary Gillick OBE, the obverse of the coin features the first portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, after officially ascending to the throne on 6th February 1952.
- The Latin inscription around the obverse of the coin, 'ELIZABETH II DEI GRA : BRITT : OMN : REGINA F : D :', an abbreviation of 'ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA BRITANNIARUM OMNIUM REGINA FIDEI DEFENSATRIX', translates as 'Elizabeth the Second, by the grace of God, Queen of all the Britains, Defender of the Faith', in English.
- The initials 'M.G.', of the artist Mary Gillick OBE who created the first portrait on the obverse of the coin, are displayed at the base of the shoulder on the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
- Released into general circulation in the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies.
