- Circulation: 8,445,000
- Year issued: 2007
- Edge inscription: Am I not a man and a brother
- Value circulated: £2.00
- Value circulated in excellent condition: £2.50
- Value uncirculated: £10.00
- Composition: Inner – cupro-nickel. Outer – Nickel-Brass
- Scarcity index: 1
In 1807 the Slave Trade Act came in to force and to commemorate the 200th anniversary of this important occasion, an 1807 £2 was issued. For anyone interested in history, this is a must have item.
History of the coin
The £2 coin is the newest and largest of the coins currently in circulation.
Although it had been issued as a commemorative coin since 1986, it was not circulated until 1998. The commemorative £2 was one colour but the new circulating coin was bi-metallic. It is still used to commemorate special occasions.
About the 1807 Slave Trade Act
The 1807 Slave Trade Act is possibly one of the most important pieces of legislation of the 19th Century.
In 1787 The Committee for the Abolition of the Slave Trade was formed. There was a growing movement for the abolition of slavery and in 1807 the group were well represented in Parliament where they were led by William Wilberforce. At the time the slave trade was a profitable business within the British Empire. In one decade alone, almost 400,000 slaves had been transported around the Empire.
In 1807 the Act was passed which banned the trading of slaves, but slavery itself was not abolished until 1833. The Act also led to other countries looking at their own activities in the slave trade and encouraged them to follow suit.
How many 1807 £2 coins were made?
The circulation of the 1807 £2 was 8,445,000.
Design and Designer
- Front design:
The design has the year 1807 across the middle, with the 0 forming the middle link of a broken chain. The words ‘An Act for the Abolition of the Slave Trade’ are written around the perimeter.
- Obverse design:
Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley
Designer: David Gentleman
David Gentleman is an artist and designer. He has not only illustrated books, but written them too.
He studied at the Royal College of Art, and has spent time painting while travelling around the World. His prints and lithographs can be seen in the Victoria and Albert Museum, Tate Britain and the British Museum and Charing Cross Station displays his wood engraved mural.
He has also worked for many well-known companies such as The Bodleian Library, British Steel and the National Trust.
He also designed a coin celebrating the 100th anniversary of Entente Cordiale in 2004.
Variations
The circulation of the 1807 £2 in 2007 was 8,445,000.
- Brilliant uncirculated coins are available
- 10,000 Silver Proof coins were produced
- 5,000 Silver Proof Piedfort coins were produced
- 1,000 Gold Proof coins were produced.
