Coins of England and Great Britain

('Coins of the UK')

by Tony Clayton

Decimal Two Pounds

Decimal One Pound <<-- : -->> Decimal Crowns, 25p and 5 pounds

Values of Decimal Two Pound Coins
Pictures of Decimal Two Pound coins

Important Note Regarding Two Pound Coins: There is an urban legend circulating that two pound coins where the Queen is wearing a necklace are rare and worth a lot of money. This is false.

1997-dated £2 coins of the UK ("the one with the necklace") are normal circulating issues. All pieces dated 1997 have exactly the same design and are not in any way unusual or rare, as over 13 million were minted. Their frequency in change has gone down because of hoarding, and because of the increasing number of later issues entering circulation.

In circulated condition such coins are worth just two pounds, i.e. face value.

The Queen's portrait was changed in 1998 for all denominations, as it was in 1985 and 1968. For more details on the £2 series, see below.

Introduction

A two pound coin in the same nickel brass alloy as the pound coin (thought to be 70% copper, 24½% zinc and 5½% nickel) was first introduced in 1986 as a commemorative coin, although it was legal tender and was accepted by shops. However, quantities were never in sufficient numbers for general circulation to take place.

In 1997 a new design, a bimetallic coin of the same diameter but thinner, was to be introduced for general circulation, but the issue was postponed to June 1998 because of technical problems regarding the acceptance of the coins by vending machines. Coins dated both 1997 and 1998 were then placed into circulation.

Edge Inscriptions

All bimetallic two pound coins, and some of the pre-1987 commemorative two pound coins, have an edge inscription as a security measure.

As the edge inscriptions are stamped on the edge of blank coins before striking, they can (and do) appear either way up in theoretically equal quantities.

Single Metal Commemorative Issues, 1986 - 1996

In 1986 a nickel-brass two pound coin was issued to commemorate the 13th Commonwealth Games held in Scotland that year.

During the succeeding years a total of six further commemorative two pound coins were issued.

The coin weighs 15.98 grams and has a diameter of 28.40 mm. This is exactly the same specification as the gold two pound coin, and indeed in some years the same design has been struck as the year's gold issue. The edge is milled for all issues, although some have an additional edge inscription.

The first six issues have the same obverse:

Second Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F D starting low left, TWO POUNDS below.

1. First type

   Reverse: Thistle on St Andrews Cross, 1986 above.
   Edge: XIII COMMONWEALTH GAMES SCOTLAND 1986

   Issued to celebrate the 1986 Commonwealth Games held in Edinburgh.

2. Second type

   Reverse: Intertwined W and M with mace, English crown above, 1689 over 1989 below TERCENTENARY OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS above.
   Edge: Milled, no inscription

   Designed by John Lubban, also famous as the illustrator of Paddington Bear books

3. Third type

   Reverse: Intertwined W and M with mace, Scottish crown above, 1689 over 1989 below TERCENTENARY OF THE CLAIM OF RIGHT above.
   Edge: Milled, no inscription

   Designed by John Lubban.

   These last two coins were issued at the same time, but the Scottish version is very much scarcer than the English, and is arguably the scarcest of all the two pound coins.

4. Fourth type

   Reverse: Seal of Bank of England, W & M intertwined surmounted by crown above Legend: Bank of England 1694 1994
   Edge: SIC VOS NON VOBIS

   Issued to celebrate the Tercentenary of Bank of England

5. Fifth type

   Reverse: Dove carrying Olive Branch (no inscription)
   Edge: 1945 IN PEACE GOODWILL 1995

   A most unusual coin in that it bears the date only on the edge. It commemorated the 50th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

6. Sixth type

   Reverse: Array of flags, 50 and UN symbol Legend: NATIONS UNITED FOR PEACE 1945 - 1995.
   Edge: Milled

   Issued to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations

7. Seventh type

   Obverse: as before but dished surface and no edge beads
   Reverse: Representation of Football, 1996 in centre, 16 small rings, to represent the 16 finalists, no edge beads. Also exists as a silver proof.
   Edge: TENTH EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP

Bi-metallic Two Pounds, 1997 to date

In 1997 a new design was produced for circulation. It was the first bi-metallic coin issued in the UK since the tin farthings with a copper plug in 1692. Due to technical difficulties the new coins were not released by banks until the middle of 1998.

The coin is 12.00 grams in weight, and 28.40 mm diameter, thus maintaining the same diameter as, but weighing less than, the former type. It has a cupro-nickel inner disc and a nickel-brass outer ring, the composition for which is 76% Cu, 20% Zn and 4% Ni.

Proof versions in silver and gold are known. The former has gold layering for the outer ring.

Definitive Issues

1. First type

   Obverse: Second Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F D starting low left in the nickel-brass ring.
   Reverse: Symbolic representation of technological development from the Iron Age, through the Industrial Revolution and the Electronic Age to the Internet. TWO POUNDS above, 1997 below. Designed by Bruce Rushin.
   Edge: STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS

   Issued in 1997 in sets, and now freely available in circulation. They were not formally issued for circulation until June 1998. The delay was because of production difficulties which resulted in rejection by coin-operated machines as the metallic bonding between the two metals was not as consistent as expected.
   This is the coin regarding which a rumour circulated a few years ago, namely that £2 coins where the queen is wearing a necklace are rare. This is definitely not true, although the rumour did cause them to disappear from circulation, and they are not often seen, and anyway they now form a significant minority of two pound coins in circulation. A total of 13.73 million were issued, and uncirculated examples are readily available in 1997 Royal Mint sets.

2. Second type

   Obverse: Third Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REG FID DEF starting low left in the nickel-brass ring.
   Reverse: Symbolic representation of technological development from the Iron Age, through the Industrial Revolution and the Electronic Age to the Internet. TWO POUNDS above, {date} below.
   Edge: STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS

   Issued for circulation dated 1998 to 2015. 1999 versions are in circulation, but were not available in the proof or uncirculated sets, which contained the Rugby version. All years from 1998 to 2015 can be found in circulation.

3. Third type

   Obverse: Fourth Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REG FID DEF date starting high right in the nickel-brass ring.
   Reverse: Britannia facing left with TWO POUNDS to the left in the brass ring, Designed by Antony Dufort.
   Edge: QUATUOR MARIA VINDICO, which means 'I Will Claim the Four Seas'

   Issued in 2015, but in fact less than 700,000 of that date were issued for circulation. Over 2 million dated 2016 were issued, but none at all from 2017 to 2020 other than in year sets. I have heard of occasional copies appearing in change but have only received one myself. Those dated 2021 and 2022 have entered circulation,

   Because of the Covid pandemic and other factors, it was reported that stocks of £2 coins were high (2021) so there was little demand for freshly minted £2 coins for circulation.

4. New King Charles III design

   Obv: Charles III facing left, inscription CHARLES III DEI GRA REX FID DEF (date) starting low left. Initials MJ below bust. No beading.
   Coins from the 2023 sets have a crown privy mark behind the bust.
   Rev: Flowers representing the four counties of th UK, at right, 2 POUNDS to left against a background of a triple C motif.
   Edge: IN SERVITIO OMNIUM, which means 'IN THE SERVICE OF ALL'
   First issued from 2023. None were issued for circulation in 2023. Those dated 2024 have not yet been seen in circulation, but are available in mint sets.

The motto STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS is a quotation of Sir Isaac Newton, who, in a letter, was acknowledging the debt he owed to the work of others who had gone before, saying 'If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants'.

Commemorative Issues

1. Obverse: Third Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REG FID DEF starting low left in the nickel-brass ring.
   Reverse: Symbolic representation of a stadium with rugby ball and goalposts. 1999 above, TWO POUNDS below. Designed by Ron Dutton.
   Edge: RUGBY WORLD CUP 1999

   Issued in 1999. Proof and uncirculated copies are available in Mint sets. Mintage 4,933,000.

2. Obverse: Third Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REG FID DEF starting low left in the nickel-brass ring.
   Reverse: Symbolic representation of Marconi's successful transatlantic wireless transmission of 1901, TWO POUNDS below. Designed by Robert Evans.
   Edge: WIRELESS BRIDGES THE ATLANTIC...MARCONI 1901...

   Issued in 2001. Mintage 4,558,000

3. Obverse: Third Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REG FID DEF starting low left in the nickel-brass ring.
   Reverse: XVII COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2002 around athlete holding a banner, £2 in front and national flag of England behind.
   Edge: SPIRIT OF FRIENDSHIP MANCHESTER 2002

   Issued in 2002. Mintage 650,500

4. Obverse: Third Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REG FID DEF starting low left in the nickel-brass ring.
   Reverse: XVII COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2002 around athlete holding a banner, £2 in front and national flag of Scotland behind.
   Edge: SPIRIT OF FRIENDSHIP MANCHESTER 2002

   Issued in 2002. Mintage 771,750

5. Obverse: Third Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REG FID DEF starting low left in the nickel-brass ring.
   Reverse: XVII COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2002 around athlete holding a banner, £2 in front and national flag of Wales behind.
   Edge: SPIRIT OF FRIENDSHIP MANCHESTER 2002

   Issued in 2002. Mintsge 558,500

6. Obverse: Third Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REG FID DEF starting low left in the nickel-brass ring.
   Reverse: XVII COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2002 around athlete holding a banner, £2 in front and national flag of Northern Ireland behind.
   Edge: SPIRIT OF FRIENDSHIP MANCHESTER 2002

   Issued in 2002. Mintage 485,500
   These four designs are rarely seen in circulation, although uncirculated examples are readily found in Royal Mint sets, as usual. However, they were not present in the normal 2002 Brilliant Uncirculated set, being issued in a separate folder.

7. Obverse: Third Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REG FID DEF starting low left in the nickel-brass ring.
   Reverse: Representation of the DNA Double Helix, DNA DOUBLE HELIX above, 1953 TWO POUNDS 2003 below. Designed by John Mills.
   Edge: DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID

   Issued in 2003. Mintage 4,299,000

8. Obverse: Third Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REG FID DEF starting low left in the nickel-brass ring.
   Reverse: Representation of the first railway locomotive, ring of early rail around, TWO POUNDS above, R.TREVITHICK 1804 INVENTION INDUSTRY PROGRESS 2004 around. Designed by Robert Lowe.
   Edge: Pattern of arcs and lines representing railway viaducts (but unofficially I think it looks more like the fish-bellied rails used for the track at that time).

   Issued in 2004. Mintage 5,004,500

9. Obverse: Third Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REG FID DEF starting low left in the nickel-brass ring.
   Reverse: Maces, croziers and swords in 'Catherine Wheel' arrangement, stars representing fireworks around, 1605 2005 above, TWO POUNDS below. Designed by Peter Forster.
   Edge: REMEMBER REMEMBER THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER

   At least one copy is known with an edge inscribed STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS in error.

   Issued in 2005. Mintage 5,140,500

10. Obverse: Third Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REG FID DEF starting low left in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: St.Pauls Cathedral with searchlight beams, two in a distinctive V formation TWO POUNDS above, 1945-2005 below, commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the end of WW2.
    Edge: IN VICTORY MAGNANIMITY IN PEACE GOODWILL.

    Issued in 2005. Mintage 10,191,000

11. Obverse: Third Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REG FID DEF starting low left in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: A portrait of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Royal Albert Bridge, chains around. TWO POUNDS above, 2006 below, commemorating the life of Brunel. Designed by Rod Kelly.
    Edge: 1806-59 ISAMBARD KINGDOM BRUNEL ENGINEER.

    Issued in 2006. Mintage 7,928,250

12. Obverse: Third Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REG FID DEF starting low left in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: Arches of Paddington Station, BRUNEL below. TWO POUNDS below, 2006 to top left, commemorating the achievements of Brunel. Designed by Robert Evans.
    Edge: SO MANY IRONS IN THE FIRE.

    Issued in 2006. Mintage 7,452,250

13. Obverse: Third Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG FID DEF above, TWO POUNDS below, in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: Broken chain and date 1807, the 0 of which is the broken link of the chain, AN ACT FOR THE ABOLITION OF THE SLAVE TRADE around, 2007 below, commemorating the end of the slave trade. Designed by David Gentleman. The initials DG do not appear on production coins intended for circulation.
    Edge: AM I NOT A MAN AND A BROTHER

    Issued in 2007 Mintage 8,445,000

    n.b. there is a subtle difference between coins issued in sets (proof and uncirculated) and those issued for circulation. In the former the designers initials are visible to the right of the 7, and the field is relatively smooth. In the latter the field is rough and the initials are absent.

    One example has been reported with the smooth set type reverse but a normal style obverse with DEI GRATIA and without the TWO POUNDS below the portrait.
    This is almost certainly a mule between the Act of Union obverse and the Slave Trade reverse, coming from the preparation for the 'Uncirculated' sets.
    A further copy of a proof coin from a set has been reported with the edge inscription THE 4th OLYMPIAD LONDON in error.

14. Obverse: Third Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REG FID DEF starting low left in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: design showing interlocking pattern of portcullis and national symbols, 1707 TWO 2007 POUNDS around, commemorating the Act of Union. Designed by Yvonne Holton.
    Edge: UNITED INTO ONE KINGDOM

    Issued in 2007. Mintage 7,545,000

15. Obverse: Third Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REG FID DEF starting low left in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: design showing racetrack labelled 1908 TWO POUNDS 2008, LONDON OLYMPIC CENTENARY around, commemorating the Centenary of the 1908 Olympic Games held in London. Designed by Thomas T. Docherty.
    Edge: THE 4th OLYMPIAD LONDON

    Issued in 2008. Mintage 910,000

16. Obverse: Third Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG FID DEF above, TWO POUNDS below, in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: design showing hands exchanging Olympic Flag, BEIJING 2008 LONDON 2012 around, commemorating the 2008 Olympic Games handover. Designed by The Royal Mint Engraving Team.
    Edge: I CALL UPON THE YOUTH OF THE WORLD

    Issued in 2008. Mintage 918,000

17. Obverse: Third Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REG FID DEF in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: design showing Charles Darwin facing a chimpanzee, 1809 DARWIN 2009 above, TWO POUNDS below, commemorating the Bicentenary of the Birth of Charles Darwin. Designed by Suzie Zamit.
    Edge: ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES 1859

    Issued in 2009. Mintage 3,903,000

18. Obverse: Third Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG FID DEF, 2009 below, in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: design showing handwritten 'We'll take a cup of kindness yet, For auld lang syne', 1759 ROBERT BURNS 1796 above, TWO POUNDS below, commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the Birth of Robert Burns. Designed by The Royal Mint Engraving Team.
    Edge: SHOULD AULD ACQUAINTANCE BE FORGOT

    Issued in 2009. Mintage 3,253,000

19. Obverse: Third Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG FID DEF above, 2010 below, in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: design showing the hands of a nurse taking the pulse of a patient, 1820 FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE - 1910 above, TWO POUNDS below, commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the publication of Florence Nightingale's book 'Notes on Nursing'. Designed by Gordon Summers
    Edge: 150 YEARS OF NURSING

    Issued in 2010. Mintage 6,175,000

20. Obverse: Third Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG FID DEF above, 2011 below, in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: design showing the Mary Rose, THE MARY ROSE above, TWO POUNDS below, commemorating the 500th Anniversary of the launching of the Mary Rose, the remains of which are preserved in Portsmouth. Designed by John Bergdahl
    Edge: YOUR NOBLEST SHIPPE 1511

    Issued in 2011. Mintage 1,040,000

21. Obverse: Third Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG FID DEF above, TWO POUNDS below, in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: design showing the first words of the Gospel According to St.John, KING JAMES BIBLE above, 1611-2011 below, commemorating the 400th Anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible Designed by Paul Stafford and Benjamin Wright
    Edge: THE AUTHORISED VERSION

    Issued in 2011.Mintage 975,000

22. Obverse: Third Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG FID DEF above, TWO POUNDS 2012 below, in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: design showing a portrait of Charles Dickens using titles of his books with 1812 CHARLES DICKENS 1870 around, commemorating the 200th Anniversary of his birth. Designed by Matthew Dent
    Edge: SOMETHING WILL TURN UP

    Issued in 2012. Mintage 8,190,000

23. Obverse: Third Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG FID DEF above, TWO POUNDS 2012 below, in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: design showing a relay baton being passed with UK and Brazilian flags, LONDON 2012 to left, RIO 2016 to right. Designed by Jonathan Olliffe
    Edge: I CALL UPON THE YOUTH OF THE WORLD

    Issued in 2012. Mintage 845,000

24. Obverse: Third Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG FID DEF above, TWO POUNDS below, in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: design showing a London Underground train, 1863 LONDON UNDERGROUND 2013 around. Designed by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby
    Edge: Pattern inspired by London Underground map.

    Issued in 2013. Mintage 1,690,000

25. Obverse: Third Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG FID DEF above, TWO POUNDS below, in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: design showing the London Underground roundel, 1863 above, 2013 below. Designed by Edwina Ellis
    Edge: MIND THE GAP

    Issued in 2013. Mintage 1,560,000

26. Obverse: Third Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG FID DEF above, TWO POUNDS below, in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: Shield as on a Spade Guinea, ANNIVERSARY OF THE GOLDEN GUINEA around, 2013 below. Designed by Anthony Smith
    Edge: WHAT IS A GUINEA? TIS A SPLENDID THING

    Issued in 2013. Mintage 2,990,000

27. Obverse: Third Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG FID DEF above, TWO POUNDS below, in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: Kitchener Your Country Needs You figure, THE FIRST WORLD WAR 1914-1918 above, 2014 below. Designed by John Bergdahl
    Edge: THE LAMPS ARE GOING OUT ALL OVER EUROPE

    Issued in 2014. Mintage 5,720,000

28. Obverse: Third Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REG FID DEF around, in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: Lighthouse lantern, 1514 TRINITY HOUSE 2014 above, TWO POUNDS below. Designed by Joe Whitlock Blundell with David Eccles
    Edge: SERVING THE MARINER

    Issued in 2014.Mintage 3,705,000

29. Obverse: Third Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG FID DEF around and TWO POUNDS 2015 below, in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: King John enthroned with knight and bishop to either side MAGNA CARTA above, 1215 - 2015 below. Designed by John Bergdahl
    Edge: FOUNDATION OF LIBERTY

    Issued in 2015, only available in Royal Mint Sets. Circulation issues have a different portrait (see next item).

30. Obverse: Fourth Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D TWO POUNDS 2015 around, in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: King John enthroned with knight and bishop to either side MAGNA CARTA above, 1215 - 2015 below. Designed by John Bergdahl
    Edge: FOUNDATION OF LIBERTY

    Issued in 2015. Mintage 1,495,000

31. Obverse: Third Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG FID DEF around and TWO POUNDS below, in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: Battleship at sea THE FIRST WORLD WAR 1914-1918 above, 2015 below. Designed by David Rowlands
    Edge: THE SURE SHIELD OF BRITAIN

    Issued in 2015, only available in Royal Mint Sets. Circulation issues have a different portrait (see next item).

32. Obverse: Fourth Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG FID DEF TWO POUNDS around, in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: Battleship at sea THE FIRST WORLD WAR 1914-1918 above, 2015 below. Designed by David Rowlands
    Edge: THE SURE SHIELD OF BRITAIN

    Issued in 2015. Obverse inscription to be confirmed. Mintage 650,000

33. Obverse: Fourth Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REGINA FID DEF around in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: Representation of London in flames 1666 THE GREAT FIRE OF LONDON 2016 above, TWO POUNDS below. Designed by Aaron West
    Edge: THE WHOLE CITY IN DREADFUL FLAMES

    Issued in 2016. Mintage1,625,000

34. Obverse: Fourth Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2 POUNDS around in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: Representation of Comedies, including jester's cap WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE above, 2016 below. Designed by John Bergdahl
    Edge: ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE

    Issued in 2016. Mintage 4,355,000

35. Obverse: Fourth Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2 POUNDS around in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: Representation of Tragedies, including skull and rose WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE above, 2016 below. Designed by John Bergdahl
    Edge: WHAT A PIECE OF WORK IS A MAN

    Issued in 2016. Mintage 4,615,000

36. Obverse: Fourth Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2 POUNDS around in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: Representation of Histories, including crown and dagger WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE above, 2016 below. Designed by John Bergdahl
    Edge: THE HOLLOW CROWN

    Issued in 2016. Mintage 5,655,000

37. Obverse: Fourth Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2 POUNDS around in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: Representation of soldiers advancing from their trenches THE FIRST WORLD WAR 1914-1918 above, 2016 below. Designed by Tim Sharp
    Edge: FOR KING AND COUNTRY

    Issued in 2016. Mintage 9,550,000

38. Obverse: Fourth Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2 POUNDS 2017 around in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: Representation of a reconnaissance aircraft flying over the battlefield 1914-1918 above, THE WAR IN THE AIR below. Designed by the Tangerine Design Agency
    Edge: THE SKY RAINED HEROES

    Issued in 2017. Only available in Royal Mint sets.

39. Obverse: Fourth Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REG FID DEF 2017 around in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: Profile and signature of Jane Austen, JANE AUSTEN 1817-2017 above, TWO POUNDS below Designed by Dominique Evans.
    Edge: THERE IS NO DOING WITHOUT MONEY

    Issued in 2017. Only available in Royal Mint sets.

40. Obverse: Fourth Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2 POUNDS around in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: FRANKENSTEIN in scary letters, BICENTENARY OF MARY SHELLEY'S above, 1818 THE MODERN PROMETHEUS 2018 below Designed by Rhys Morgan.
    Edge: A SPARK OF BEING (to be confirmed)

    Issued in 2018. Only available in Royal Mint sets.

41. Obverse: Fourth Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REG FID DEF 2018 around in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: THE TRUTH UNTOLD THE PITY OF WAR on a globe, THE FIRST WORLD WAR ARMISTICE 1918 above, TWO POUNDS below Designed by Stephen Raw.
    Edge: 4 11 1918 WILFRED OWEN KILLED IN ACTION (to be confirmed)

    Issued in 2018. Only available in Royal Mint sets.

42. Obverse: Fourth Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2 POUNDS around in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: Badge of the RAF, THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE above, 1918-2018 below Designed by Rhys Morgan.
    Edge: PER ARDUA AD ASTRA

    Issued in 2018. Only available in Royal Mint sets.

43. Obverse: Fourth Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2 POUNDS around in the nickel-brass ring (to be confirmed).
    Reverse: Ship and Map of Plymouth, 250 to the right, 1768-2018 above, CAPTAIN JAMES COOK below. Designer Gary Breeze.
    Edge: OCEANI INVESTIGATOR ACERRIMVS

    Not to be issued for circulation. Only available in Royal Mint folders, and as silver and gold proofs. It is not in the year set.

44. Obverse: Fourth Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2 POUNDS around in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: Map of Normandy showing invasion beaches, D-DAY: 75TH ANNIVERSARY above, 2019 below. Designer Stephen Taylor.
    Edge: THE LONGEST DAY

    Issued in 2019. Only available in Royal Mint sets.

45. Obverse: Fourth Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2 POUNDS around in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: Wedgwood Jasper ware, WEDGWOOD above, 1759-2019 below. Designed by the Wedgwood design team.
    Edge: EVERYTHING GIVES WAY TO EXPERIMENT

    Issued in 2019. Only available in Royal Mint sets.

46. Obverse: Fourth Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2 POUNDS around in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: Hand writing in shorthand, SAMUEL PEPYS DIARIST above, 1669-2019 below. Designer Gary Breeze.
    Edge: THE GOOD GOD PREPARE ME

    Issued in 2019. Only available in Royal Mint sets.

47. Obverse: Fourth Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2 POUNDS around in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: Ship and map of Tahiti, 250 above, 1769-2019 CAPTAIN JAMES COOK around. Designer Gary Breeze.
    Edge: OCEANI INVESTIGATOR ACERRIMVS

    Not to be issued for circulation. Only available in Royal Mint folders, and as silver and gold proofs. It is not in the year set.

48. Obverse: Fourth Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2 POUNDS around in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: Jigsaw design with clues and question mark, 100 YEARS OF MYSTERY above, 1920 to left, 2020 to right, Agatha Christie signature below. Designer David Lawrence.
    Edge: LITTLE GREY CELLS

    Issued in 2020. Only available in Royal Mint sets.

49. Obverse: Fourth Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2 POUNDS around in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: Cheering crowd with a large VICTORY above, 1945-2020 above, VICTORY IN EUROPE below. Designer Dominique Evans
    Edge: JUST TRIUMPH AND PROUD SORROW

    Issued in 2020. Only available in Royal Mint sets.

50. Obverse: Fourth Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2 POUNDS around in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: The Mayflower in full sail, 1620 2020 above, MAYFLOWER below. Designer Chris Costello.
    Edge: UNDERTAKEN FOR THE GLORY OF GOD

    Issued in 2020 but only available in Royal Mint sets.

51. Obverse: Fourth Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2 POUNDS around in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: Design showing Invisible Man, Mars Invaders and Clock Face. 2021 H.G.WELLS below Designer Chris Costello.
    Edge: GOOD BOOKS ARE THE WAREHOUSES OF IDEAS

    Issued in 2021 but only available in Royal Mint sets.

52. Obverse: Fourth Portrait in cupronickel centre, with inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2 POUNDS around in the nickel-brass ring.
    Reverse: Sir Walter Scott facing right, 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS BIRTH above, 2021 below. Designer Stephen Raw.
    Edge: THE WILL TO DO, THE SOUL TO DARE

    Issued in 2021 but only available in Royal Mint sets.

Further issues from 2022 will be added shortly.

Edge Lettering Errors and Varieties

Varieties of the edge inscription are known with missing letters, particularly the I in GIANTS. These are not uncommon, as the inscription is put on the edge of the blanks prior to striking. The pressure of striking can result in closure of narrow letters such as I. However, a copy of the Gunpowder Plot coin with the wrong edge inscription (i.e. the normal STANDING etc instead of REMEMBER etc) has been reported and such errors are likely to be very rare.

The orientation of the edge letters is fairly random as they are applied to the blanks before striking.

Acknowledgements

See my Main Coins Index page for acknowledgements

I am grateful to Phil McLoughlin for the information regarding John Lobban, and to the Royal Mint website for information on recent issues.

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