Coins celebrating the achievements of Jane Austen and Sir Isaac Newton are among a new set of designs which will start appearing in people's wallets this spring.

Eastern Daily Press: A �2 coin design will remember the Royal Flying Corps. Picture: PAA �2 coin design will remember the Royal Flying Corps. Picture: PA

Unveiling the new designs for 2017, the Royal Mint said they have a 'strong pioneering theme'.

Eastern Daily Press: Jane Austen is celebrated on a new �2 coin. Picture PAJane Austen is celebrated on a new �2 coin. Picture PA

A £2 coin design will remember the Royal Flying Corps and its contribution to the defence of Britain's skies in the First World War using new aircraft technology. In 1918 the Royal Flying Corps became the Royal Air Force.

Eastern Daily Press: A new 50p coin will mark the achievements of Isaac Newton. Picture: PAA new 50p coin will mark the achievements of Isaac Newton. Picture: PA

And a Jane Austen £2 coin will celebrate the Pride And Prejudice and Sense And Sensibility author, 200 years after her death.

Eastern Daily Press: A new 12-sided �1 coin will feature the flora of the four nations. Picture: PAA new 12-sided �1 coin will feature the flora of the four nations. Picture: PA

A Sir Isaac Newton 50p coin will mark the achievements of one-time Master of the Royal Mint, whose wide-ranging work paved the way for the introduction of the 'gold standard' system for valuing a nation's currency.

Meanwhile, a new 12-sided £1 coin, which will enter circulation in March and eventually replace the 'round pound', will feature the flora of the four nations of the UK emerging from a coronet.

Dr Kevin Clancy, director of the Royal Mint Museum, said: 'This is a particularly significant year in Royal Mint history as we welcome in the new 12-sided £1 coin, with its innovative security features.

'This year we also mark the achievements of Jane Austen, Sir Isaac Newton and the Royal Flying Corps - all pioneers in their own field. The British public should start to see these coins appearing in their change from spring 2017.'