New Â£1 coin with '˜hidden' security feature rolled out across Yorkshire today

The good old 'round pound' is set to vanish from our change as the new 12-sided, criminal-unfriendly version replaces it. However, it could be weeks before one of the new, bi-metallic versions shows up in your pocket.

The new 12-sided Â£1 coin is being rolled out across Yorkshire today in a bid to curb the rise of counterfeits.

The Royal Mint has produced 1.5 billion of the new coins which will be distributed to banks and retailers over the next six months.

Around four million new pound coins are being produced each day and Sheffield residents can now expect to find them in their change in the coming days and weeks.

The £1 coin has been dubbed “the most secure coin in the world” and boasts a number features designed to make it more difficult to counterfeit.

This includes a hidden high security feature built into the coin as well as micro-sized lettering inside both rims.

There is also a hologram-like image that changes from a ‘£’ symbol to the number ‘1’ when the coin is seen from different angles.

Adam Lawrence, chief executive of 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.

“Staying ahead of sophisticated counterfeiters remains a constant challenge and this coin helps in that battle.”

Round £1 coins will now start to be returned to The Royal Mint - some of which will be reused to make the new coin.

Although many businesses in Yorkshire