1956 AD., Guernsey, 8 Doubles, KM 16.

Guernsey, engraver: Paul Vincze (reverse), 1956 AD.,
8 Doubles (1 Penny) (31,7 mm / 9,66 g), bronze, 9,70 g theor. mint weight, mintage 157.000 , axes medal alignment ↑↑ (0°), plain edge,
Obv.: S' BALLIVIЄ INSVLЄ DЄ GЄRNЄRЄVЄ , around Arms of Guernsey, three lions passant left on shield.
Rev.: GUER-NSEY / P.V. / 19 - 56 / EIGHT DOUBLES , 3-flowered Guernsey lily (Nerine sarniensis), value and year below, engraver´s initials to left.
KM 14 .

Year / Mintage
1956 500,000
1956 2,100 (proof)
1959 500,000
1959 ? (proof)
1966 10,000 (proof)

For many years Guernsey used a coinage system called the "Double". Until the early 19th century, Guernsey used predominantly French currency. Coins of the French livre were legal tender until 1834, with French francs used until 1921. In 1830, Guernsey began production of copper coins denominated in doubles. The double was worth 1/80 of a French franc. The name "double" derived from the French "double deniers", although the value of the coin was equal to the liard (3 deniers piece) still circulating. Coins were issued in denominations of 1, 2, 4 and 8 doubles. The 8 double coin was a "Guernsey penny", with twelve to the "Guernsey shilling" (worth 1.2 francs). However, this shilling was not equal to the British shilling (worth 1.26 francs, as the exchange rate according to the respective gold standards was 25.22 francs = 1 pound sterling).
In 1956, new designs were introduced for the 4 and 8 doubles (the lower denominations were no longer issued). These featured the Island's arms and name (now given as S'Ballivie Insule de Gernereve) on the obverse with the English name, the date and the Guernsey lily on the reverse. 3 pence coins were also issued from 1956, with the same obverse and a reverse featuring the Guernsey cow.