Christopher Ironside

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Christopher Ironside (July 11, 1913 - July 13, 1992) was an English painter and coin designer, particularly known for the reverse sides of the new British coins issued on decimalisation in 1971.

He began his career as a painter, studying at the Central School of Arts and Crafts. During World War II he served in the Directorate of Camouflage, working for the Air Ministry in Leamington Spa.

Post-war, he headed the education section of the Council for Industrial Design, but gave up the post in 1948 due to increasing design commissions. His subsequent work included the decorations for Pall Mall for the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. He taught part-time at the Royal College of Art from 1953 to 1963. His paintings were exhibited at two main shows, shared with his elder brother Robin, at the Redfern Gallery in 1944 and at Arthur Jeffress in 1960. He received an OBE in 1971.

Ironside designed various coins for the Royal Mint, including the reverse of the present British 50 pence, ten pence, five pence, two pence, and one penny coins, as well as the former half penny coin. He also designed commemorative medallions, and coins for Tanzania, Brunei and two of the Gulf states.

He was married twice: to Janey Acheson (one daughter, the journalist and novelist Virginia Ironside), and after the marriage was dissolved in 1961 to Jean Marsden.