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Two pound coin
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Two pound coin
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Two pounds
United Kingdom
Value£2
Mass12 g
Diameter28.4 mm
Thickness2.5 mm
EdgeMilled, with incuse lettering
CompositionOuter ring: Nickel-brass
(76% Cu, 20% Zn and 4% Ni)
Centre: Cupro-nickel
(75% Cu, 25% Ni)
Years of minting1997–present
Obverse
DesignQueen Elizabeth II
DesignerJody Clark
Design date2015
Reverse
DesignBritannia
DesignerAntony Dufort
Design date2015

The British two pound coin (£2) is a denomination of sterling coinage. Its obverse has featured the profile of Queen Elizabeth II since the coin’s release. Three different portraits of the Queen have been used, with the current design by Jody Clark being introduced in 2015. The reverse design features Britannia.

The coin was released on 15 June 1998 (coins minted 1997) after a review of the United Kingdom's coinage decided that a general-circulation £2 coin was needed.[1] The new bi-metallic coin design replaced a series of commemorative, uni-metallic coins which were issued between 1986 and 1996 to celebrate special occasions. Although legal tender, those earlier coins had never been common in everyday circulation.

As of March 2014 there were an estimated 417 million £2 coins in circulation with an estimated face value of £834 million.[2]

Beyond the usual commemorative versions, no standard two pound coins have been minted for general circulation since 2016, although examples have been issued in uncirculated sets at a premium. This was because the concurrent introduction of the new version of the one pound coin had put enough £2 (and 20 pence) coins back into circulation, as people emptied coin jars primarily for the older one pound coin that was due to be withdrawn.[3]

£2 coins are legal tender to any amount when offered in repayment of a debt; however, the coin's legal tender status is not normally relevant for everyday transactions.

Design

[edit]
The original reverse design, by Bruce Rushin

The original reverse of the coin, designed by Bruce Rushin, is an abstract design symbolising the history of technological achievement, accompanied by the words TWO POUNDS above, and the year of minting below. This was the first bi-metallic coin to be produced for circulation in Britain since the tin farthing with a copper plug produced in 1692, and is the highest-denomination coin in common circulation in the UK. The coin consists of an outer yellow metal nickel-brass ring made from 76% copper, 20% zinc, and 4% nickel, and an inner steel-coloured cupro-nickel disc made from 75% copper, 25% nickel. The coin weighs 12 grams (0.42 oz) and is 2.84 centimetres (1.12 in) in diameter.

The design itself was first tried out in 1994 when the Royal Mint produced a short run of demonstration pieces to the new bi-metal standard. These pieces were not for circulation and were simply intended to test the manufacturing process. The coin was technically similar to the version which eventually entered circulation with the Maklouf effigy of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse and the image of a sailing ship similar to that previously used on the reverse of the pre-decimal halfpenny piece. The inscription on the reverse read ROYAL MINT TRIAL 1994 with an edge inscription based on the one pound coin which read DECUS ET TUTAMEN ANNO REGNI XLVI, meaning "An ornament and a safeguard – [in the] 46th year of [her] reign". The 1994 pieces were never legal tender but were eventually released for sale as part of a presentation set in 1998. At the same time in 1994 the Royal Mint produced a mono-metallic trial two-pound coin, with the same ship reverse and inscription, but otherwise similar to the earlier commemorative coins. These were never issued in presentation sets, and so are much scarcer than the bi-metallic version.

Because of technical difficulties, the 1997-dated coins, which bear the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Raphael Maklouf, were not released to circulation until June 1998 (the same time as the 1998-dated coins). Coins dated 1998 and later bear the effigy of the Queen by Ian Rank-Broadley. The Maklouf-effigy coins bear the inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F D[n 1] on the obverse; the Rank-Broadley coins bear the inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REG FID DEF.[n 1]

The reverse of the regular-issue coin, designed by Bruce Rushin, bears a concentric design symbolically representing technological development from the Iron Age, through the Industrial Revolution and the Electronic Age to the Internet, with the inscription TWO POUNDS above the design and the date below. An oddity of the design is that it depicts nineteen interlocking gears. Because it is an odd number of gears, the mechanism could not actually turn. The coin has the edge inscription STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS, a quote taken from a letter by Isaac Newton to Robert Hooke, in which he describes how his work was built on the knowledge of those that had gone before him. "If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Newton was Warden and later Master of the Royal Mint.

In February 2015, the Royal Mint announced that a new design featuring Britannia by Antony Dufort would replace the previous design.[4] The new coins feature the edge inscription QUATUOR MARIA VINDICO, meaning "I claim the four seas", an inscription previously featured on coins bearing the image of Britannia.[5][6]

In October 2023 the King Charles III two-pound coin was presented; the coin features the national flowers – a rose for England, a daffodil for Wales, a thistle for Scotland and a shamrock for Northern Ireland.[7][8] The coin has the edge inscription IN SERVITIO OMNIUM ("In the service of all"), taken from the King's inaugural speech in September 2022.

Variants

[edit]

In addition to the standard designs there have been several variant reverse designs used on the £2 coin to commemorate important events. These are summarised in the table below.

Uni-metallic coins
Year Event Design Edge inscription Designer Mintage
1986 XIII Commonwealth Games Cross of St Andrew, crown of laurel leaves and Scottish Thistle XIII COMMONWEALTH GAMES SCOTLAND 1986 Norman Sillman 8,212,184
1989 Tercentenary of the Bill of Rights Cypher of 'W&M' (King William and Queen Mary) interlaced surmounting a horizontal Parliamentary Mace and representation of the Royal Crown above and the dates 1689 and 1989 below, all within the inscription 'Tercentenary of the Bill of Rights' None (milled) John Lobban 4,392,825
1989 Tercentenary of the Claim of Right Cypher of 'W&M' (King William and Queen Mary) interlaced surmounting a horizontal Parliamentary Mace and representation of the Royal Crown above and the dates 1689 and 1989 below, all within the inscription 'Tercentenary of the Claim of Right' None (milled) John Lobban 381,400
1994 Tercentenary of the Bank of England The Bank's Corporate Seal including the Crown and Cypher of King William and Queen Mary and the dates 1694–1994 SIC VOS NON VOBIS
(Translation > "Thus we do, but not for ourselves") 		Leslie Durbin 1,443,116
1995 50th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War A stylised representation of a Dove as the symbol of peace 1945 IN PEACE GOODWILL 1995 John Mills 4,394,566
1995 50th Anniversary of the founding of the United Nations 50th anniversary symbol of United Nations and a fanning pattern of flags with the inscription NATIONS UNITED FOR PEACE above and the dates '1945–1995' below None (milled) Michael Rizzello 1,668,575
1996 10th European Football Championship A stylised representation of a football, with the date of 1996 centrally placed and encircled by sixteen small rings TENTH EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP John Mills 5,141,350
Bi-metallic coins (images: [2])
Year Event Design Edge inscription Designer Mintage
1999 1999 Rugby World Cup Design depicts a stadium, on which is superimposed a rugby ball and goalpost. The date '1999' above separated by goal-posts from the value 'TWO POUNDS' below RUGBY WORLD CUP 1999 Ron Dutton 4,933,000
2001 100th Anniversary of Marconi's 1st Wireless Transmission across the Atlantic Radio waves decorating centre and outer border while a spark of electricity linking the zeros of the date represents the generation of the signal WIRELESS BRIDGES THE ATLANTIC...MARCONI 1901... Robert Evans 4,558,000
2002 XVII Commonwealth Games in Manchester (England) Stylised figure of an athlete holding a banner and the inscription XVII Commonwealth Games 2002. This variant contains the flag of England featured beside the athlete SPIRIT OF FRIENDSHIP, MANCHESTER 2002 Matthew Bonaccorsi 650,500
2002 XVII Commonwealth Games in Manchester (Scotland) Stylised figure of an athlete holding a banner and the inscription XVII Commonwealth Games 2002. This variant contains the flag of Scotland featured beside the athlete SPIRIT OF FRIENDSHIP, MANCHESTER 2002 Matthew Bonaccorsi 771,750
2002 XVII Commonwealth Games in Manchester (Wales) Stylised figure of an athlete holding a banner and the inscription XVII Commonwealth Games 2002. This variant contains the flag of Wales featured beside the athlete SPIRIT OF FRIENDSHIP, MANCHESTER 2002 Matthew Bonaccorsi 588,500
2002 XVII Commonwealth Games in Manchester (Northern Ireland) Stylised figure of an athlete holding a banner and the inscription XVII Commonwealth Games 2002. This variant contains the Ulster Banner featured beside the athlete SPIRIT OF FRIENDSHIP, MANCHESTER 2002 Matthew Bonaccorsi 485,500
2003 50th Anniversary of the discovery of DNA A representation of the double helical structure of DNA with the words DNA Double Helix above and 'TWO POUNDS' and the dates '1953–2003' below DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID John Mills 4,299,000
2004 200th Anniversary of the first steam locomotive by Richard Trevithick A representation of a steam locomotive engine with the words 'TWO POUNDS' above and inside a cog wheel, the words R.TREVITHICK 1804 INVENTION INDUSTRY PROGRESS 2004 as a circumscription None (milled with an incuse railway line motif) Robert Lowe 5,004,500
2005 400th anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot An arrangement of crossiers, maces and swords surrounded by stars and the dates 1605 & 2005. Denomination TWO POUNDS below REMEMBER REMEMBER THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER Peter Forster 5,140,500
2005 60th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day Design depicts St Paul's Cathedral illuminated by searchlights and the value 'TWO POUNDS' sbove and the dates 1945–2005 below IN VICTORY MAGNANIMITY IN PEACE GOODWILL Bob Elderton 10,191,000
2006 Bicentennial of the birth of Isambard Kingdom Brunel Depiction of a section of the roof of Paddington Station with the dates 2006 above and the name BRUNEL to the right and the denomination TWO POUNDS below SO MANY IRONS IN THE FIRE Robert Evans 7,452,250
2006 Bicentennial of the birth of Isambard Kingdom Brunel A portrait of Isambard Kingdom Brunel with two of his engineering achievements, encircled by a chain with the denomination TWO POUNDS above and the date 2006 below 1806–1859 ISAMBARD KINGDOM BRUNEL ENGINEER Rod Kelly 7,928,250
2007 Tercentenary of the Act of Union between England and Scotland A design dividing the coin into four quarters, with a rose and a thistle occupying two of the quarters and a portcullis in each of the other two quarters. The whole design is overlaid with a linking jigsaw motif and surrounded by the dates "1707" and "2007", and the denomination "TWO POUNDS" UNITED INTO ONE KINGDOM Yvonne Holton 7,545,000
2007 Bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade in the British Empire The date "1807" with the "0" depicted as a broken chain link, surrounded by the inscription "AN ACT FOR THE ABOLITION OF THE SLAVE TRADE" and the date "2007" AM I NOT A MAN AND A BROTHER David Gentleman 8,445,000
2008 Olympic Handover Ceremony A flag showing the five Olympic rings being passed from a hand on the left to a hand on the right. The surrounding inscription reads "BEIJING 2008" left of image and "LONDON 2012" to right. The London 2012 olympic logo is at the bottom of the coin overlapping both metals I CALL UPON THE YOUTH OF THE WORLD The Royal Mint Engraving Team 918,000
2008 The Centenary of the London Olympic Games of 1908 Four lanes of a running track extend from bottom left and converge into distance towards top right. The lane numbers show "1908" across the lanes with "TWO POUNDS 2008" written along the lanes. The inscription "LONDON OLYMPIC CENTENARY" is shown around the upper right half of the coin THE 4TH OLYMPIAD LONDON Thomas T Docherty 910,000
2009 250th Anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns A handwriting style of font reads [sic] "we'll tak a cup a' kindness yet, for auld lang syne". The inscription "1759 ROBERT BURNS 1796" above, "TWO POUNDS" below SHOULD AULD ACQUAINTANCE BE FORGOT The Royal Mint Engraving Team 3,253,000
2009 200th Anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth A profile portrait of Charles Darwin on left, facing right, stares into the face of a chimpanzee on right, facing left. The inscription "1809 . DARWIN . 2009" above, "TWO POUNDS" below ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES 1859 Suzie Zamit 3,903,000
2010 100th Anniversary of the death of Florence Nightingale The design portrays a pulse being taken, whilst the background symbolises the rays of light from the lamp that Florence Nightingale was known for carrying during her rounds to tend to the wounded troops in the Crimean War. Surrounded by the inscription "1820 – FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE – 1910" with "TWO POUNDS" below 150 YEARS OF NURSING Gordon Summers 6,175,000
2011 400th Anniversary of the King James Bible The design features typeset in a replica of the black letter typeface used in the first edition: the reversed, raised text of the printing block on the left and the recessed text of the printed word on the right, taking the form of the quote, ‘In the beginning was the Word’ (John 1:1).’[9] Inscription "KING JAMES BIBLE" above, "1611–2011" below THE AUTHORISED VERSION Paul Stafford & Benjamin Wright 975,000
2011 500th Anniversary of the maiden voyage of the Mary Rose The Mary Rose sailing right, based upon a 1546 pictorial survey of Henry VIII's navy. Inscription "THE MARY ROSE" above, "TWO POUNDS" below YOUR NOBLEST SHIPPE 1511 John Bergdahl 1,040,000
2012 200th Anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens A profile outline of Charles Dickens, facing left, created from the titles of Dickens’ famous works. Inscription "1812 CHARLES DICKENS 1870" to left SOMETHING WILL TURN UP Matthew Dent 8,190,000
2012 The London 2012 Handover to Rio The design depicts the moment of a baton handover in a relay race. The hand holding the baton descends from top right, above a sweeping UK flag which twists to become the flag of Brazil below the hand reaching up from bottom left to take the baton.[10] Inscription "LONDON 2012" top left, "RIO 2016" bottom right. The London 2012 olympic logo is at the very top of the coin I CALL UPON THE YOUTH OF THE WORLD Jonathan Olliffe 845,000
2013 London Underground 150th Anniversary – The Train The front of a tube train (1967 stock) fills the cupro-nickel centre of the coin as if approaching out of a tunnel formed by the surrounding nickel-brass outer ring of the coin. Inscription "1863 · LONDON UNDERGROUND · 2013" above Linear representation of the Tube map Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby 1,690,000
2013 London Underground 150th Anniversary – The Roundel A representation of the London Underground logo with "1863" above and "2013" below MIND THE GAP Edwina Ellis 1,560,000
2013 The 350th Anniversary of the Guinea A recreation of the design on what became known as the "spade guinea": a shield with the arms of King George III. Surrounding inscription "ANNIVERSARY OF THE GOLDEN GUINEA 2013" WHAT IS A GUINEA? ‘TIS A SPLENDID THING (Stephen Kemble quotation) Anthony Smith ARBS 2,990,000
2014 100th Anniversary of the Outbreak of the First World War A representation of the famous recruitment poster featuring Lord Kitchener with the legend "YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU". Surrounding inscription "THE FIRST WORLD WAR 1914–1918" with "2014" below THE LAMPS ARE GOING OUT ALL OVER EUROPE John Bergdahl[11] 5,720,000
2014 500th Anniversary of Trinity House The beacon of a lighthouse shining out to left and right. Surrounding inscription "1514 TRINITY HOUSE 2014" with "TWO POUNDS" below. SERVING THE MARINER Joe Whitlock-Blundell and David Eccles[11] 3,705,000
2015 800th Anniversary of Magna Carta[12] King John is signing the Charter witnessed by a bishop and baron. Surrounding inscription "MAGNA CARTA" with "1215 - 2015" below FOUNDATION OF LIBERTY John Bergdahl 1,495,000
2015 The Royal Navy[13] Iron Duke-class battleship in profile with a lone seaplane on the starboard side and sea birds on the port side. Surrounding inscription "THE FIRST WORLD WAR 1914 - 1918" with "2015" below THE SURE SHIELD OF BRITAIN David Rowlands 650,000
2016 William Shakespeare[14] Comedy - Jester's hat and stick. Surrounding inscription "WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE" with "2016" below ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE John Bergdahl 4,355,000
2016 William Shakespeare[14] History - crown with a dagger through the middle of the crown. Surrounding inscription "WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE" with "2016" below THE HOLLOW CROWN (quote from Richard II) John Bergdahl 5,655,000
2016 William Shakespeare[14] Tragedy - skull with a rose. Surrounding inscription "WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE" with "2016" below WHAT A PIECE OF WORK IS A MAN John Bergdahl 4,615,000
2016 The Army[15] Profile outline of three First World War soldiers. Surrounding inscription "THE FIRST WORLD WAR 1914-1918" with "2016" below FOR KING AND COUNTRY John Bergdahl 9,550,000
2016 The Great Fire of London[16] London burning, with boats on the River Thames in the foreground. Surrounding inscription "1666 THE GREAT FIRE OF LONDON 2016" with "TWO POUNDS" below THE WHOLE CITY IN DREADFUL FLAMES Aaron West 1,625,000
Non-circulating designs
Year Event Design Edge inscription Designer Mintage
2017 Jane Austen Silhouette of Jane Austen's head, overlaid by her signature. THERE IS NO DOING WITHOUT MONEY (quote from Northanger Abbey) Dominique Evans 0
2017 First World War Aviation Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8, carrying a pilot and his observer, taking reconnaissance photography over the Battle of Arras.[17] THE SKY RAINED HEROES Dan Flashman 0
2018 100th Anniversary of the Royal Air Force Badge of the Royal Air Force, surrounded by the inscription "THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE", with "1918-2018" below PER ARDUA AD ASTRA (also present on reverse as part of badge) Rhys Morgan 0
2018 The 100th Anniversary of the First World War Armistice Inscription: "THE TRUTH UNTOLD THE PITY OF WAR", with surrounding inscription "THE FIRST WORLD WAR ARMISTICE 1918" WILFRED OWEN KILLED IN ACTION 4 NOV 1918 Stephen Raw 0
2018 250th Anniversary of Captain Cook's Epic Voyage The stern of HM Bark Endeavour, Captain Cook’s famous ship, leaving Plymouth with the ensign visible alongside 250 to mark the anniversary with Cook's signature below. OCEANI INVESTIGATOR ACERRIMVS ("a keen explorer of the ocean") Gary Breeze 0
2018 The 200th Anniversary of the publication of Frankenstein A SPARK OF BEING Thomas Docherty 0
2019 260th Anniversary of Wedgwood Wedgwood vase. Surrounding inscription "WEDGWOOD" with "1759-2019" below EVERYTHING GIVES WAY TO EXPERIMENT Wedgewood Design Team 0
2019 350th Anniversary of the last diary entry of Samuel Pepys Hand holding quill pen over sheet of paper with Pepys' signature and the date "MAY 31 1669". Surrounding inscription "SAMUEL PEPYS DIARIST" with "1669-2019" below THE GOOD GOD PREPARE ME Gary Breeze 0
2019 75th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings Strategic Arrows pointing to the Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword beaches of Normandy, with 2019 below THE LONGEST DAY Stephen Taylor 0
2019 250th Anniversary of Captain James Cook's Time in Tahiti The middle half of HM Bark Endeavour, with inscription "1769 - 2019 CAPTAIN JAMES COOK" surrounding OCEANI INVESTIGATOR ACERRIMVS Gary Breeze 0
2020 400th Anniversary of the voyage of the Mayflower The Titular Mayflower, with "MAYFLOWER 1620 - 2020" inscribed around UNDERTAKEN FOR THE GLORY OF GOD Chris Costello 0
2020 100th Anniversary of the Murder Mysteries of Agatha Christie Puzzle Pieces, with "100 YEARS OF MYSTERY 1920 - 2020" inscribed around LITTLE GREY CELLS David Lawrence 0
2020 75th Anniversary of VE Day A crowd celebrating, "VICTORY" in the background and "1945 - 2020 VICTORY IN EUROPE DAY" inscribed around JUST TRIUMPH AND PROUD SORROW Dominique Evans 0
2020 The 250th Anniversary of Captain James Cook's Voyage of Discovery The front half of HM Bark Endeavour, with inscription "CAPTAIN JAMES COOK 1770 - 2020" surrounding OCEANI INVESTIGATOR ACERRIMVS Gary Breeze 0
2021 75th Anniversary of the death of H. G. Wells Depictions of the Invisible Man and a Martian, surrounded by clock numerals, "2021 H.G.WELLS" inscribed below GOOD BOOKS ARE THE WAREHOUSES OF IDEAS Christ Costello 0
2021 250th Anniversary of the birth of Sir Walter Scott Depiction of Sir Walter Scott, with "250th ANNIVERSARY OF HIS BIRTH" inscribed above, "SIR WALTER SCOTT NOVELIST, HISTORIAN, POET" inscribed in the middle ring and 2021 inscribed below THE WILL TO DO, THE SOUL TO DARE Stephen Raw 0
2022 The 100th Anniversary of the death of Alexander Graham Bell Depiction of the buttons of a telephone, with "PIONEER OF THE TELEPHONE 1847 1922" split across each button INNOVATION IN SCIENCE BELL Henry Gray 0
2022 Celebrating the life and legacy of Dame Vera Lynn Vera Lynn, with "DAME VERA LYNN 1917 - 2020" inscribed to the left WE'LL MEET AGAIN The Royal Mint Engraving Team 0
2022 Celebrating 150 Years of the FA Cup The 2014 FA Cup, with "CELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF THE FA CUP" inscribed around it FOOTBALL's GREATEST CUP COMPETITION Matt Dent and Christian Davies 0
2022 25 Years of the £2 Coin The definitive version of the £2 coin from 1997, but with the number "25" in the central hologram STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS Bruce Rushin 0
2023 50th Anniversary of the death of J. R. R. Tolkien Monogram of J.R.R. Tolkien NOT ALL THOSE WHO WANDER ARE LOST David Lawrence 0
2023 200th Anniversary of death of Edward Jenner A crowd of miniature people surrounding a smallpox virus INNOVATION IN SCIENCE JENNER Henry Gray 0
2023 Centenary of the Flying Scotsman The Flying Scotsman steaming, "LNER 4472 1923 - 2023" inscribed below LIVE FOR THE JOURNEY John Bergdahl 0
2023 Ada Lovelace Punchcard and text, "a discover of the hidden realities of nature," in reference to how Lovelace described herself in a letter she wrote to her mother in 1841.[citation needed] INNOVATION IN SCIENCE LOVELACE Osborne Ross 0
2024 Celebrating 200 Years of the National Gallery The front of the National Gallery MAIORVM GLORIA POSTERIS LVMEN EST ("The glory of our ancestors is a light to our posterity") Edwina Ellis 0
2024 150th Anniversary of Sir Winston Churchill's Birth A Young Winston Churchill, with the dates 1874 - 1965 flanking him PAVE THE WAY FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM Natasha Seaward 0

"Inverted effigy" coins

[edit]

In 2015, a small number of £2 coins entered circulation that featured the Queen’s head rotated clockwise by approximately 150 degrees. The Royal Mint stated that the misalignment of the Queen’s effigy was "almost certainly the result of one of the dies working loose and rotating during the striking process". Change Checker, a coin dealing website, suggests that the rotated die may have affected as few as around 3,250 coins.[18]

Mintages

[edit]
Uni-metallic coin
  • 1986 ~ 8,212,184 (Commonwealth Games - Edinburgh)
  • 1989 ~ 4,392,825 (Bill of Rights - 1689–1989)
  • 1989 ~ 381,400 (Claim of Right - 1689-1989 Scotland)
  • 1989 ~ 4,777,891 (in all versions, including proofs)
  • 1994 ~ 1,443,116 (Tercentenary of the Bank of England)
  • 1995 ~ 4,394,566 (50th anniversary of the end of the Second World War)
  • 1995 ~ 1,668,575 (50th anniversary of founding of the United Nations)
  • 1996 ~ 5,141,350 (10th European Football Championship) [19]
Bi-metallic coin – total
  • 1997 ~ 13,734,625
  • 1998 ~ 91,110,375
  • 1999 ~ 33,719,000
  • 2000 ~ 25,770,000
  • 2001 ~ 34,984,750
  • 2002 ~ 13,024,750
  • 2003 ~ 17,531,250
  • 2004 ~ 11,981,500
  • 2005 ~ 3,837,250
  • 2006 ~ 16,715,000
  • 2007 ~ 10,270,000
  • 2008 ~ 30,107,000
  • 2009 ~ 8,775,000
  • 2010 ~ 6,890,000
  • 2011 ~ 24,375,030
  • 2012 ~ 3,900,000
  • 2013 ~ 15,860,250
  • 2014 ~ 18,200,000
  • 2015 ~ 35,360,058
  • 2015 ~ 650,000 (Britannia)
  • 2016 ~ 2,925,000 (Britannia)
  • 2017 ~ 0 (zero) (Britannia or Shield)[20]
  • 2018 ~ 0 (zero)
  • 2019 ~ 0 (zero)
  • 2020 ~ 0 (zero)
  • 2021 ~ 6,045,000 (Britannia)
  • 2022 ~ 4,030,000 (Britannia)
  • 2023 ~ 0 (National flowers)
  • 2024 ~ 0 (National flowers)
Bi-metallic coin – commemoratives issued into circulation[20]
  • 1999 ~ 4,933,000 (Rugby World Cup)
  • 2001 ~ 4,558,000 (Marconi)
  • 2002 ~ 771,750 (Commonwealth Games – Scotland)
  • 2002 ~ 588,500 (Commonwealth Games – Wales)
  • 2002 ~ 485,500 (Commonwealth Games – Northern Ireland)
  • 2002 ~ 650,500 (Commonwealth Games – England)
  • 2003 ~ 4,299,000 (DNA)
  • 2004 ~ 5,004,500 (Trevithick)
  • 2005 ~ 10,191,000 (World War Two)
  • 2005 ~ 5,140,500 (Gunpowder Plot)
  • 2006 ~ 7,928,250 (Brunel – portrait)
  • 2006 ~ 7,452,250 (Brunel – achievements)
  • 2007 ~ 7,545,000 (Act of Union)
  • 2007 ~ 8,445,000 (Abolition of Slave Trade)
  • 2008 ~ 910,000 (1908 Olympic Games)
  • 2008 ~ 918,000 (Beijing Olympic Games Handover)
  • 2009 ~ 3,903,000 (Charles Darwin)
  • 2009 ~ 3,253,000 (Robert Burns)
  • 2010 ~ 6,175,000 (Florence Nightingale)
  • 2011 ~ 975,000 (King James Bible)
  • 2011 ~ 1,040,000 (The Mary Rose)
  • 2012 ~ 845,000 (Rio Olympic Games Handover)
  • 2012 ~ 8,190,000 (Charles Dickens – 200th Anniversary)
  • 2013 ~ 1,690,000 (London Underground – train)
  • 2013 ~ 1,560,000 (London Underground – roundel)
  • 2013 ~ 2,990,000 (Anniversary of the Guinea)
  • 2014 ~ 5,720,000 (Anniversary of the Outbreak of the First World War)
  • 2014 ~ 3,705,000 (500th Anniversary of Trinity House)
  • 2015 ~ 1,495,000 (800th Anniversary of Magna Carta)
  • 2015 ~ 650,000 (The Royal Navy)
  • 2016 ~ 4,355,000 (William Shakespeare – Comedy)
  • 2016 ~ 5,655,000 (William Shakespeare – History)
  • 2016 ~ 4,615,000 (William Shakespeare – Tragedy)
  • 2016 ~ 9,550,000 (First World War Army)
  • 2016 ~ 1,625,000 (The Great Fire of London)


See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Two pound coin

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The two pound (£2) coin is a bimetallic denomination of the pound sterling, introduced into general circulation in the United Kingdom on 15 June 1998 by the Royal Mint to serve as the highest value coin for everyday transactions. Comprising an outer ring of nickel-brass alloy and an inner disc of cupronickel, its dual-metal composition incorporates security features such as a serrated edge and latent image to deter counterfeiting, distinguishing it from the predominantly single-metal lower denominations. The obverse bears the effigy of the reigning monarch—Queen Elizabeth II from issuance until 2022, succeeded by King Charles III's portrait on coins from 2023 onward—while the reverse features a standard design of the four nations' emblems (England's rose, Scotland's thistle, Wales's leek or daffodil, and Northern Ireland's shamrock) intertwined for circulating issues, alongside over 100 commemorative variants depicting historical events, cultural icons, and national milestones such as the 2002 Commonwealth Games or the 2012 London Olympics. Preceding its standard role, £2 coins originated as nickel-brass commemoratives from 1986, evolving to the bimetallic format in 1997 to meet demands for durable higher-value coinage amid declining £1 note usage.

History

Origins and introduction

The first British £2 coin was issued in 1986 as a commemorative piece marking the XIII held in , . Crafted from nickel-brass in a uni-metallic design, it featured an obverse portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and a reverse depicting an athlete carrying the Commonwealth baton, with the edge inscribed "XIII COMMONWEALTH GAMES EDINBURGH". This coin represented the initial trial of a £2 denomination in physical form, produced by the Royal Mint with a mintage of approximately 1.5 million pieces, primarily for collectors rather than widespread circulation. From 1986 to 1996, the £2 coin was released sporadically as uni-metallic nickel-brass commemoratives for significant national and international events, serving to gauge public familiarity with the higher denomination without committing to full production. Notable issues included the 1989 coin honoring the 300th anniversary of the Bill of Rights and Claim of Right; the 1992 design for the UK Presidency of the European Community; the 1994 tercentenary of the Bank of England; the 1995 United Nations 50th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of the end of the Second World War; and the 1996 European Football Championships. These limited-edition coins, with mintages ranging from hundreds of thousands to several million depending on the event, were not intended for everyday transactions but helped assess practical acceptance. The development of the £2 coin responded to economic pressures following decimalization in 1971 and persistent inflation during the 1970s and 1980s, which eroded and highlighted the limitations of existing coinage like the £1 coin introduced in 1983. By issuing these early versions in controlled volumes, authorities tested consumer and retailer responses to a £2 piece for handling larger change amounts, paving the way for its eventual role in routine circulation amid rising prices that made £1 insufficient for many transactions.

Transition to bi-metallic design

The standard circulating bi-metallic £2 was introduced on 15 June 1998, with production commencing in 1997 after a review determined the need for a higher-denomination to streamline transactions previously requiring multiple £1 coins. The launch, originally scheduled for late 1997, was postponed due to technical production challenges, including difficulties in ensuring the reliable detection by coin-operated vending machines, which necessitated adjustments to the manufacturing process. The bi-metallic design featured an outer ring of nickel-brass alloy (76% , 20% , 4% ) surrounding an inner cupro-nickel disc (75% , 25% ), creating a distinct bicolour appearance and incorporating a precise radial groove at the metal interface to complicate replication by counterfeiters. This construction provided inherent latent security features, such as the electromagnetic signature from the differing metals, which enhanced verifiability in automated sorting and vending equipment compared to prior single-metal commemorative £2 coins. The shift addressed practical limitations of lower-denomination coins and paper £1 notes—particularly in —by offering greater durability against wear in high-frequency use and reducing the physical bulk of transactions, while facilitating integration into vending and payment systems through its unique material properties and size. Initial industry concerns over machine compatibility were resolved prior to release, leading to widespread acceptance despite the novelty of bi-metallic coins in circulation.

Physical specifications

Material composition and dimensions

The British £2 , in its standard bi-metallic form introduced in 1997, weighs 12.00 grams, measures 28.40 mm in diameter, and has a thickness of 2.50 mm. It consists of an outer ring made from nickel-brass alloy comprising 76% , 20% , and 4% , surrounding an inner core of cupronickel alloy with 75% and 25% . The edge is milled and typically inscribed with "STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS" for issues from 1997 to 2015, though later designs feature variant inscriptions aligned with specific commemorative themes.
PropertyValue
Weight12.00 g
Diameter28.40 mm
Thickness2.50 mm
Outer ring76% Cu, 20% Zn, 4% Ni
Inner core75% Cu, 25% Ni

Security features

The £2 coin employs a bi-metallic structure, comprising an outer ring of nickel-brass and an inner disc of nickel-plated nickel, which produces contrasting colors and a secure mechanical join resistant to separation or replication by standard techniques. This join manifests as fine radial lines along the interface, discernible only under , serving as a covert marker of authenticity that demands beyond typical capabilities. A embedded in the center of the inner disc shifts appearance from to the £2 symbol upon tilting, mimicking holographic effects through diffractive first implemented on this denomination to enable straightforward visual . Complementary micro-text, such as repeating "TWO POUNDS" or design-specific inscriptions, encircles the outer ring, requiring optical aid for verification and complicating high-volume reproduction. The coin's milled edge, combined with latent diffraction patterns from surface texturing, generates subtle light-reflective anomalies under angled inspection, further aiding manual detection. Its standardized of 12 grams, thickness of 2.5 millimeters, and material-specific electromagnetic ensure compatibility with automated sorters and vending mechanisms, prioritizing functional integrity over aesthetic elements in countering economic dilution from fakes. The bi-metallic format, introduced in 1997 ahead of full circulation in 1998, addressed vulnerabilities inherent in the prior £2 paper note by leveraging durable physical traits less susceptible to duplication, thereby sustaining trust in the denomination through empirically superior resistance.

Designs

Obverse designs

The obverse of the two pound coin depicts the of the reigning , accompanied by inscriptions denoting the sovereign's name, titles ("DEI GRATIA" for "" and "REX" or "REGINA" for or queen), and the issue year. Designs evolve with royal succession and through periodic competitions or appointments to refresh the while adhering to numismatic conventions, such as alternating facing directions between monarchs—right for , left for . Commemorative £2 coins issued from 1986 to 1996 utilized the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II sculpted by Raphael Maklouf, which had debuted on circulating denominations in 1985 and portrayed the queen in a stylized, youthful form with a laurel crown. The bi-metallic circulating £2 coin, introduced on 15 June 1998 (with 1997 and 1998 dates), adopted the more realistic effigy by Rank-Broadley, selected via and used until 2015; this design emphasized anatomical detail and was applied across denominations from 1998. In 2015, the Royal Mint transitioned to the effigy by Jody Clark, the first UK coin portrait created by a Royal Mint employee in over 100 years, featuring a mature queen without crown or jewelry for a contemporary appearance; it appeared on £2 coins dated 2015 through 2022, with some 2022 issues entering circulation post her death on 8 September 2022. Upon Charles III's accession on 8 September 2022, his official , designed by Martin Jennings following a competition, was unveiled on 29 September 2022; the first circulating £2 coins bearing this , facing left to distinguish from his mother's, were released in 2023 as part of definitive and commemorative issues.

Reverse designs and variants

The standard reverse design of the British two pound coin from its introduction in 1997 until 2015 featured an abstract representation of technological progress, depicted through concentric circles symbolizing evolution from the at the center to gears, circuits, and a microchip on the periphery, created by engraver Bruce Rushin. This design incorporated a latent security feature in the central area, where tilting reveals an image of four conjoined scrolls forming a microchip. In 2015, the Royal Mint announced a replacement standard reverse, which entered circulation in 2016: a modern depiction of seated amid waves, holding a in her right hand and resting on a with the Union Flag, designed by sculptor Antony Dufort as an updated interpretation of the classical Britannia motif used on British coinage for over 300 years. This design emphasizes national symbolism and continuity, with "TWO POUNDS" inscribed above and the date below. Beyond these circulating standard reverses, the two pound coin has featured numerous commemorative variants to mark specific historical, cultural, or sporting events, serving event-specific roles rather than everyday circulation and often incorporating thematic engravings distinct from the abstract or symbolic standards. Examples include a series of designs for the 2008 Beijing Olympics highlighting British athletes and disciplines, multiple issues for the 2012 London Olympics such as the "Offside" football design by Neil Wolfson depicting angled goalposts, and the 2020 coin commemorating the 80th anniversary of that campaign with an image of a Spitfire aircraft over the . A planned 2025 commemorative honors the 75th anniversary of George Orwell's death, featuring an adaptation of the eye from his novel on the reverse to evoke themes of surveillance and totalitarianism. Since 1997, over 80 distinct reverse variants have been produced, each inscribed with the issuance year to facilitate identification and historical tracking, though production of non-commemorative standards ceased after in favor of event-driven releases.

Special varieties and errors

One notable production error occurred in the 2015 £2 coins, where the obverse of Queen Elizabeth II was rotated approximately 150 degrees relative to the reverse design, resulting in an "inverted " appearance. The Royal Mint attributed this misalignment to a die becoming loose and rotating during the striking , a mechanical anomaly stemming from tolerances in high-volume minting rather than intentional design. Similar rotation errors have been documented in other years, such as the Act of Union £2 coin, where misalignment between obverse and reverse exceeds standard alignment tolerances. Other verified mint errors include off-centre strikes and double strikes, which arise when planchets shift during the coining press operation or when the press strikes a second time without ejection. For instance, off-centre cores in bi-metallic £2 coins disrupt the alignment of the inner nickel-brass ring with the outer cupro-nickel rim, while double strikes can produce ghostly overlays of the design. A rare monometallic variant of the £2 coin, struck on a solid nickel-brass instead of the intended bi-metallic composition, was confirmed by the over a decade after production, highlighting occasional lapses in blank preparation. These errors, while collectible, must be distinguished from post-mint damage or fabricated "errors" often marketed deceptively; genuine examples command premiums based on realizations, such as rotation-error coins fetching £100–£200 depending on condition and documentation. Auction data underscores that values derive from and verifiability rather than unsubstantiated rarity claims, with most minor errors yielding modest returns after for grading and . Numismatists emphasize mechanical causation—such as press malfunctions or die shifts—over systemic flaws, as Mint's quality controls minimize but do not eliminate such incidents in exceeding billions of coins annually.

Production

Minting process

The £2 coins are produced at the Royal Mint's facility in , , where precision engineering ensures high-volume output with minimal defects. The bi-metallic construction—featuring a nickel-brass outer ring surrounding a copper-nickel inner core—is achieved by preparing separate blanks for each component, assembling them, and striking them simultaneously in a specialized assembling press; this process interlocks the metals via mechanical deformation akin to tongue-and-groove milling, enhancing durability and resistance to separation under circulation stress. Prior to striking, blanks receive edge lettering, such as the standard "STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS" inscription, applied via automated milling to maintain uniformity. incorporates automated weight sorting and dimensional checks to reject substandard pieces, supporting reliable . The Mint also manufactures limited annual runs of proof and uncirculated £2 coins for collector sets, struck at slower rates (50–100 per hour) with enhanced finishing to preserve detail. Overall capacity enables millions of circulating £2 coins per year when demand requires, scaled dynamically to avoid surplus inventory.

Mintages and circulation figures

The production of £2 coins distinguishes between definitive designs for general circulation and commemorative issues struck to circulating standards, with mintage figures reflecting economic demand, replacement needs, and event-specific releases. Early commemorative coins from 1986 to 1996 had mintages ranging from approximately 1.4 million for the 1994 issue to over 8 million for the 1986 , as these were novel introductions without large-scale circulation requirements. Following the 1997 shift to bi-metallic designs, circulating mintages surged to meet distribution demands, exemplified by the 1998 Technology reverse with 91,110,375 coins, supporting widespread adoption amid the decimalization legacy and cash-based economy. Subsequent definitive issues maintained high volumes into the early , but commemorative circulating variants typically numbered in the low millions, such as the 5.1 million for the 1996 European Football Championships.
YearDesign/TypeMintage (circulating)
1986XIII (commemorative)8,212,184
1994 (commemorative)1,443,116
1998 (definitive)91,110,375
2015 update (definitive)35,360,058
2021 (definitive)6,045,000
2022 (definitive)4,030,000
Post-2016, no new definitive £2 coins entered general circulation until limited Britannia releases in 2021–2022, with mintages declining sharply due to ample existing stock—estimated at hundreds of millions—and rising digital payment usage reducing replacement needs. Commemorative production for circulation has similarly tapered, prioritizing collector sales over bulk issuance, as evidenced by annual reports showing overall coin output contraction.

Usage and economic role

Adoption in circulation

The £2 coin entered general circulation in the on 15 June 1998, following its initial minting in 1997 as a bimetallic denomination intended for everyday higher-value payments. Its introduction addressed evolving consumer spending patterns requiring a coin beyond the £1, enhancing efficiency in scenarios like vending machines, fares, parking meters, and retail change, where multiple lower-value coins had previously been necessary. Pre-launch preparations included design considerations for compatibility with existing coin-operated equipment, facilitating swift integration without widespread immediate upgrades to infrastructure like vending and systems. The coin's adoption accelerated as older £1 notes—fully withdrawn by the late —had already normalized coin-based transactions, allowing the £2 to fill a practical gap in denominations for sums exceeding £1. By March 2014, approximately 417 million £2 coins were estimated in circulation, reflecting robust uptake with a collective of £834 million. Despite the rise of contactless cards and digital payments—which reduced overall cash usage to around 12% of transactions by 2023—the £2 coin maintained relevance in residual dealings, particularly for exact change in low-value automated systems. Production of new £2 coins was suspended from onward due to excess stockpiles exceeding projected demand, underscoring its entrenched role amid declining but persistent reliance.

Collector and numismatic value

The numismatic value of most British £2 coins remains near their £2 , as high mintages for circulation strikes ensure plentiful supply that suppresses premiums beyond minor collector sentiment. Low-mintage commemoratives and proof specimens, however, derive premiums from and production quality, with market prices reflecting auction outcomes and dealer assessments grounded in verifiable demand. For instance, the 1986 proof set incorporating the inaugural £2 coin sells for £65, a modest uplift attributable to its frosted finish and pioneering status rather than rarity alone. Gold proof editions of commemorative £2 coins command higher values due to intrinsic content—approximately 0.5 ounces of 22-carat —and limited issuance. The 2012 to Rio Olympic handover £2, for example, retails at £1,095, driven by collector interest in the Olympic series and market price, though circulation counterparts trade at around £10. Authenticated mint errors yield the most substantial premiums, as verification by the Royal Mint distinguishes genuine production flaws from post-mint damage or counterfeits, which hold no added worth. A 2014 Lord Kitchener First World War commemorative 'mule' error—lacking the 'TWO POUNDS' denomination due to die mismatch—sold for £1,000 at auction following authentication. Similarly, a 2016 Shakespeare Tragedies £2 with an incorrect edge inscription fetched £123, illustrating how specific die or striking anomalies can elevate value when provenance is confirmed. Unverified claims of errors, such as inverted axes or misalignments, typically prove valueless, as widespread replication undermines authenticity. Overall, £2 coin premiums hinge on empirical scarcity and condition grading, not unsubstantiated hype, with bulk lots often reverting to melt or face value absent distinguishing traits.

Counterfeiting and fraud

Prevalence and detection methods

Counterfeit £2 coins constitute a smaller proportion of circulating fakes compared to the £1 coin, for which rates exceeded 3% before its 2017 redesign, though exact prevalence figures for the £2 remain unpublished by the Royal Mint. Sophisticated variants, primarily imported from since the , often match the genuine weight of 12.0 grams but exhibit flaws in finer details, enabling gradual infiltration into circulation despite the coin's inherent security advantages. Detection emphasizes precise measurement and . Authentic coins have a of 28.4 mm and thickness of 2.5 mm, verifiable with or scales. The milled edge features the inscription "STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS" in crisp, evenly incused lettering without burrs, gaps, or misspellings common in counterfeits. The bimetallic composition—nickel-brass outer ring and copper-nickel inner disc—displays a seamless join and contrasting metallic sheen, with no magnetic response to a standard test. Practical tools for verification include commercial coin sorters and vending validators calibrated to reject inconsistencies in , , or electromagnetic , alongside consumer-grade digital scales and for edge scrutiny. Some commemorative £2 issues incorporate tilt-activated latent images, further aiding differentiation. These methods, promoted through public , mitigate acceptance risks for businesses and individuals. Such fraud imposes direct fiscal burdens on retailers absorbing losses from undetected fakes and indirectly erodes trust in low-denomination , incentivizing the Royal Mint's iterative design refinements and law enforcement's emphasis on prosecution to curb production and distribution rather than passive tolerance.

Notable incidents and responses

In July 2021, four men operating from a warehouse in , , , were sentenced after producing thousands of coins as part of a £200,000 operation, which involved selling the fakes at car boot sales across the region. The group, described by investigators as executing a poorly planned scheme, faced charges under the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act , with sentences reflecting the economic harm posed by circulating worthless replicas that burden businesses and consumers. Earlier, in 2016, Andrew Gilbert was convicted for importing thousands of coins manufactured in , intending to offload them at car boot sales for profit. This case highlighted vulnerabilities from overseas production and lax import scrutiny, enabling low-cost replication of the coin's bimetallic structure using inferior materials that failed basic weight and edge tests. In response to such operations, UK authorities have intensified prosecutions, with Essex Police collaborating with the National Crime Agency to dismantle networks and recover assets, underscoring the role of targeted policing in upholding currency integrity as a state monopoly. The Royal Mint has countered by rotating reverse designs annually and incorporating latent security features, such as micro-engraved elements detectable under magnification, to elevate the technical barriers for forgers while minimizing disruption to legitimate circulation. These measures, driven by empirical analysis of seized fakes, prioritize causal deterrence over reactive fixes, as persistent border weaknesses continue to facilitate raw material inflows for domestic minting attempts.

Recent developments

Post-Elizabeth II era updates

The first circulating £2 coins bearing the effigy of King Charles III entered general circulation in 2023, marking the transition from Queen Elizabeth II's portrait on the obverse side. All £2 coins struck by the Royal Mint from 1 January 2023 onward featured the new uncrowned designed by Martin Jennings, depicting the King facing left in keeping with tradition. This rollout coincided with dated 2023 issues, including commemorative designs such as the Flowers of the Nation series, without altering the bimetallic structure or security features of the denomination. Mintage figures for the £2 coin reflected ongoing adjustments to reduced physical demand prior to and during the transition. The 2021 Britannia reverse £2 had a mintage of 6,045,000, a figure disclosed by the Royal Mint in December 2022, indicating pre-transition circulation lows driven by increased digital payments. Similarly, the 2022 Britannia £2 mintage stood at 4,030,000, continuing the downward trend amid stable but declining usage. These reductions ensured supply matched economic realities, including post-pandemic recovery and pressures, without excess stockpiling. The shift to Charles III effigies occurred without reported disruptions to £2 coin availability or vending machine compatibility, as older Elizabeth II coins remained legal tender alongside new issues. The Royal Mint maintained production continuity, leveraging existing bi-metallic technology to integrate the new obverse seamlessly, thereby supporting steady circulation volumes despite broader shifts toward contactless transactions.

Future designs and changes

In 2025, the Royal Mint issued a commemorative £2 coin honouring George Orwell on the 75th anniversary of his death, featuring a bimetallic design with a reverse depicting a surveillance camera eye encircled by the inscription "BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU" from his novel Nineteen Eighty-Four. The obverse bears the uncrowned portrait of King Charles III facing left, designed by Martin Jennings, while the reverse was created by Henry Gray. The definitive circulating £2 coin for 2025 incorporates a nature-themed reverse with flora symbolizing the United Kingdom's four nations: a for , for , daffodil for , and for . This design aligns with King Charles III's environmental interests and represents a continuation of updated definitive motifs introduced post-2022. Amid the rise of digital payments, the Royal Mint announced in 2020 no plans to mint additional circulating 2p or £2 coins for at least a decade, citing reduced demand from electronic transactions. Despite this shift, commemorative £2 issues continue to mark cultural and historical events, ensuring the denomination's adaptability while physical cash persists for low-value transactions, privacy, and access by the population. The Mint's parallel development of digital precious metal investments, such as DigiGold, reflects broader to without eliminating physical coin production.

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