I was sad to use the last of my old £ coins ~ the new ones are a little lighter and lack the heft and chubbiness. Not quite so iconic as the olde.

And re tipping, I highly doubt the hotel maid would view a few old pound coins as being a comment on her bed-making ability. She no doubt knows you're not British and understands what you're doing.

>>Not quite so iconic as the olde.<<

When I remember the fuss when they were introduced... how times change.