£2 Coin Designs and Specifications

The introduction of the bicolour £2 coin

After a review of the United Kingdom coinage in 1994, it emerged that there was a requirement for a £2 coin to enter general circulation. A consultation process took place with the vending machine industry, members of the public and special interest groups, such as the RNIB and Age Concern. The consensus of opinion from the consultation favoured a bicolour coin, because it would be easily distinguishable from the other coins in circulation.

A new design was required for the reverse and it was decided that a competition, open to members of the general public, was the way to proceed. The winning artist, Bruce Rushin, an art teacher from Norfolk, based his design on a series of concentric circles telling the story, through symbolic devices, of technological development from the Iron Age to the Industrial Revolution and from the Computer Age to the internet.

An appropriate edge inscription had to be chosen before the recommended design could be submitted to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and then to Queen Elizabeth II, for approval. The words that were eventually chosen were taken from a letter written in 1676 by Isaac Newton to his fellow scientist Robert Hooke, acknowledging the debt he owed to others: 'If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants'

Originally, the intention was to issue the £2 coin in November 1997 and millions of coins were struck with the Raphael Maklouf portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse in readiness for launch. Concerns, however, emerged from the vending industry prior to the issue date. Production was placed on hold, whilst further tests were carried out, and resumed in 1998, featuring the new portrait of Her Late Majesty by Ian Rank-Broadley on the obverse.

The £2 coin was eventually launched on 15 June 1998, when millions of both versions of the coin were released. Because of the two different portraits, however, many confusing stories have arisen. The most common misconception is that the £2 coin bearing the Raphael Maklouf portrait of the Queen, in which she is wearing a necklace, was made in very modest numbers. However, since millions of these coins were minted, this is simply not the case.

The £2 coin is legal tender for any amount.

The first £2 coins

The first base metal £2 coin was issued in the United Kingdom in 1986 to commemorate the Thirteenth Commonwealth Games, which were held in Scotland that year. Commemorative £2 coins continued to be issued in single colour nickel-brass for special occasions.

First Issued	15 June 1998
Diameter	28.4mm
Weight	12.0g
Thickness	2.50mm
Composition	Outer: Nickel-Brass (76% copper, 4% nickel, 20% zinc) Inner: Cupro-nickel (75% copper, 25% nickel)
Obverse Designers	Portrait of Her Late Majesty The Queen 1997 - Raphael Maklouf 1998-2015 - Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS 2015-2022 - Jody Clark 2022 to date - Martin Jennings
Reverse Designers	See table below
Edge	Milled

£2 Coin Reverse Designs

Year of Issue	Edge Inscription	Design Information
1997 - 2015	STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS	The History of Technological Achievement The design, in four concentric circles, depicts mankind's industrial and technological progress from the Iron Age to the Internet. Designed by: Bruce Rushin
2015 - present	QUATUOR MARIA VINDICO	Britannia Timeless, symbolic, stirring and inspirational, this stunning interpretation of Britannia is respectful of times past but recasts her for a brand new era. Designed by: Antony Dufort
1999	RUGBY WORLD CUP 1999	The 1999 Rugby World Cup The design depicts a stadium, on which is superimposed a rugby ball and goalpost. The date 1999 above, separated by goalposts from the value TWO POUNDS below. Designed by: Ron Dutton
2001	WIRELESS BRIDGES THE ATLANTIC...MARCONI 1901...	The 100th Anniversary of Marconi's 1st Wireless Transmission across the Atlantic Radio waves decorate the centre and outer border, while a spark of electricity linking the zeros of the date represents the generation of the signal. Designed by: Robert Evans
2002	SPIRIT OF FRIENDSHIP MANCHESTER 2002	The XVII Commonwealth Games in Manchester A stylised figure of an athlete holding a banner and the inscription XVII Commonwealth Games 2002. Designed by: Matthew Bonaccorsi
2003	DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID	The 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. Designed by: John Mills
2004	Edge is milled with an incuse railway line motif	The 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, with the words R.TREVITHICK 1804 INVENTION INDUSTRY PROGRESS 2004 as a circumscription. Designed by: Robert Lowe
2005	REMEMBER REMEMBER THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER	The 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. Designed by: Peter Forster
2005	IN VICTORY MAGNANIMITY IN PEACE GOODWILL	The 60th Anniversary of the End of the Second World War St Paul's Cathedral illuminated by searchlights, and the value TWO POUNDS above and the dates 1945-2005 below. Designed by: Bob Elderton
2006	SO MANY IRONS IN THE FIRE	The 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Isambard Kingdom Brunel 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. Designed by: Robert Evans
2006	1806-1859 ISAMBARD KINGDOM BRUNEL ENGINEER	The 200th Anniversary 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. Designed by: Rod Kelly
2007	UNITED INTO ONE KINGDOM	The Tercentenary of the Act of Union between England and Scotland The coin divided 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. Designed by: Yvonne Holton
2007	AM I NOT A MAN AND A BROTHER	The 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. Designed by: David Gentleman
2008	I CALL UPON THE YOUTH OF THE WORLD	The Olympic Handover Ceremony in Beijing Designed by: The Royal Mint Engraving Team
2008	THE 4TH OLYMPIAD LONDON	The Centenary of the London Olympic Games of 1908 Designed by: Thomas T Docherty
2009	SHOULD AULD ACQUAINTANCE BE FORGOT	The 250th Anniversary of the Birth of Robert Burns Designed by: The Royal Mint Engraving Team
2009	ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES 1859	The 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Charles Darwin Designed by: Suzie Zamit
2010	150 YEARS OF NURSING	The 100th Anniversary of the Death of Florence Nightingale Designed by: Gordon Summers
2011	THE AUTHORISED VERSION	The 400th Anniversary of the King James Bible Designed by: Paul Stafford and Benjamin Wright
2011	YOUR NOBLEST SHIPPE 1511	The 500th Anniversary of the Maiden Voyage of the Mary Rose Designed by: John Bergdahl
2012	SOMETHING WILL TURN UP	The 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Charles Dickens Designed by: Matthew Dent
2012	I CALL UPON THE YOUTH OF THE WORLD	The London 2012 Handover to Rio Designed by: Jonathan Olliffe
2013	Linear representation of the Tube map	The 150th Anniversary of the London Underground - The Train Designed by: Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby
2013	MIND THE GAP	The 150th Anniversary of the London Underground - The Roundel Designed by: Edwina Ellis
2013	WHAT IS A GUINEA? ‘TIS A SPLENDID THING	The 350th Anniversary of the Guinea Designed by: Anthony Smith ARBS
2014	THE LAMPS ARE GOING OUT ALL OVER EUROPE	The 100th Anniversary of the First World War – Outbreak Designed by: John Bergdahl
2014	SERVING THE MARINER	The 500th Anniversary of the Founding of Trinity House Designed by: Joe Whitlock Blundell with David Eccles
2015	FOUNDATION OF LIBERTY	The 800th Anniversary of the Signing of Magna Carta Designed by: John Bergdahl
2015	THE SURE SHIELD OF BRITAIN	The 100th Anniversary of the First World War - The Royal Navy Designed by: David Rowlands
2016	THE WHOLE CITY IN DREADFUL FLAMES	The 350th Anniversary of the Great Fire of London Designed by: Aaron West
2016	FOR KING AND COUNTRY	The 100th Anniversary of the First World War - The Army Designed by: Tim Sharp View products that feature this design
2016	THE HOLLOW CROWN	The Shakespeare Histories Designed by: John Bergdahl View products that feature this design
2016	ALL THE WORLDS A STAGE	The Shakespeare Comedies Designed by: John Bergdahl
2016	WHAT A PIECE OF WORK IS A MAN	The Shakespeare Tragedies Designed by: John Bergdahl
2017	THERE IS NO DOING WITHOUT MONEY	The 200th Anniversary of the Death of Jane Austen Designed by: Dominique Evans View products that feature this design
2017	THE SKY RAINED HEROES	The 100th Anniversary of the First World War - Aviation Designed by: Dan Flashman, Tangerine Design View products that feature this design
2018	PER ARDUA AD ASTRA	The Centenary of the Royal Air Force Designed by: Rhys Morgan View products that feature this design
2018	PER ARDUA AD ASTRA	The Centenary of the Royal Air Force - Spitfire Designed by: Richard Talbot and Neil Talbot View products that feature this design
2018	WILFRED OWEN KILLED IN ACTION 4 NOV 1918	The 100th Anniversary of the First World War - Armistice Designed by: Stephen Raw View products that feature this design
2018	PER ARDUA AD ASTRA	The Centenary of the Royal Air Force - Vulcan Designed by: Richard Talbot and Neil Talbot View products that feature this design
2018	OCEANI INVESTIGATOR ACERRIMVS	The 250th Anniversary of Captain James Cook's Voyage of Discovery Designed by: Gary Breeze View products that feature this design
2018	PER ARDUA AD ASTRA	The Centenary of the Royal Air Force - Sea King Designed by: Richard Talbot and Neil Talbot View products that feature this design
2018	PER ARDUA AD ASTRA	The Centenary of the Royal Air Force - Lightning II Designed by: Richard Talbot and Neil Talbot View products that feature this design
2018	A SPARK OF BEING	The Bicentenary of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein Designed by: Thomas Docherty View products that feature this design
2019	EVERYTHING GIVES WAY TO EXPERIMENT	The 260th Anniversary of the Founding of Wedgwood Designed by: The Wedgwood Design Team View products that feature this design
2019	THE GOOD GOD PREPARE ME	The 350th Anniversary of the Closure of Samuel Pepys' Diary Designed by: Gary Breeze View products that feature this design
2019	THE LONGEST DAY	The 75th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings Designed by: Stephen Taylor View products that feature this design
2019	OCEANI INVESTIGATOR ACERRIMVS	The 250th Anniversary of Captain James Cook's Voyage of Discovery - 1769-2019 Designed by: Gary Breeze View products that feature this design
2020	UNDERTAKEN FOR THE GLORY OF GOD	The 400th Anniversary of the Voyage of the Mayflower Designed by: Chris Costello View products that feature this design
2020	LITTLE GREY CELLS	The 100th Anniversary of the Murder Mysteries of Agatha Christie Designed by: David Lawrence View products that feature this design
2020	JUST TRIUMPH AND PROUD SORROW	The 75th Anniversary of VE Day Designed by: Dominique Evans View products that feature this design
2020	OCEANI INVESTIGATOR ACERRIMVS	The 250th Anniversary of Captain James Cook’s Voyage of Discovery – 1770-2020 Designed by: Gary Breeze View products that feature this design
2021	GOOD BOOKS ARE THE WAREHOUSES OF IDEAS	The 75th Anniversary of the Death of H.G. Wells Designed by: Chris Costello View products that feature this design
2021	THE WILL TO DO, THE SOUL TO DARE	The 250th Anniversary of the Birth of Sir Walter Scott Designed by: Stephen Raw View products that feature this design
2022	INNOVATION IN SCIENCE • BELL	The 100th Anniversary of the Death of Alexander Graham Bell Designed by: Henry Gray View products that feature this design
2022	WE’LL MEET AGAIN	Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dame Vera Lynn Designed by: The Royal Mint Coin Design Team View products that feature this design
2022	FOOTBALL’S GREATEST CUP COMPETITION	Celebrating 150 Years of the FA Cup Designed by: Matt Dent/Christian Davies View products that feature this design
2022	STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS	Celebrating 25 Years of the £2 Designed by: Bruce Rushin View products that feature this design
2023	NOT ALL THOSE WHO WANDER ARE LOST	Celebrating the Life and Work of JRR Tolkien Designed by: David Lawrence View products that feature this design
2023	INNOVATION IN SCIENCE · JENNER	Edward Jenner Designed by: Henry Gray View products that feature this design
2023	LIVE FOR THE JOURNEY	The Centenary of Flying Scotsman Designed by: John Bergdahl View products that feature this design
2023	· INNOVATION IN SCIENCE · LOVELACE	Ada Lovelace Designed by: Osborne Ross View products that feature this design
2023	• IN SERVITIO OMNIUM	King Charles III Definitive £2 Coin Designed by: The Royal Mint View products that feature this design
2024	· MAIORVM GLORIA POSTERIS LVMEN EST	The 200th Anniversary of the National Gallery Designed by: Edwina Ellis View products that feature this design
2024	· PAVE THE WAY FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM	The 150th Anniversary of the Birth of Sir Winston Churchill Designed by: Natasha Seaward View products that feature this design

Year of Issue	Edge Inscription	Design Information
1986	XIII COMMONWEALTH GAMES SCOTLAND 1986	The XIII Commonwealth Games Cross of St Andrew, a crown of laurel leaves and Scottish Thistle. Designed by: Norman Sillman
1989	Milled	The 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 or TERCENTENARY OF CLAIM OF RIGHT (the latter, Scotland only). Designed by: John Lobban
1994	SIC VOS NON VOBIS	The Tercentenary of the Establishment 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 and 1994. Designed by: Leslie Durbin
1995	1945 IN PEACE GOODWILL 1995	The 50th Anniversary of the End of the Second World War A stylised representation of a Dove as the symbol of Peace. Designed by: John Mills
1995	Milled	The 50th Anniversary of the Founding of the United Nations 50th anniversary symbol of the United Nations and a fanning pattern of flags, with the inscription NATIONS UNITED FOR PEACE above and the dates 1945-1995 below. Designed by: Michael Rizzello
1996	TENTH EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP	The 10th European Football Championship A stylised representation of a football, with the date of 1996 centrally placed and encircled by sixteen small rings. Designed by: John Mills

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