- Circulation: 8,212,184
- Year issued: 1986
- Edge inscription: XIII Commonwealth Games Scotland 1986
- Value circulated:
- Value circulated in excellent condition: £9.00
- Value uncirculated: £20.00 upwards
- Composition: Nickel – Brass
- Scarcity index:
In 1986 the Royal Mint issued the first commemorative £2 coin. The Commonwealth Games were held in Scotland that year, and the 1986 Commonwealth Games £2 became the first British coin to commemorate a sporting event. Coin collectors are keen to get this coin, but it is also popular with sports fans.
History of the coin
The 1986 Commonwealth Games £2 was the first of several commemorative £2. The coin itself was not circulated and was made from a single metal.
It was decided in 1998 that there was a requirement for a £2 to be issued and the new coin was redesigned and was bi-metallic. This was the newest addition to the coin set.
About the Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games is a sporting contest in which all member states of the Commonwealth of Nations can take part. The games are held every 4 years and the first Games were held in 1930 in Hamilton, Canada.
In 1986, Scotland was the host country. Most of the events were held in Edinburgh, which became the first city to host the Games twice. Unfortunately, due to many countries boycotting the Games that year, only 27 countries were represented.
England topped the medal table with a total of 144 medals.
How many 1986 Commonwealth Games £2 coins were made?
When the coin was issued, 8,212,184 1986 Commonwealth Games £2 coins were minted, but not circulated.
Design and Designer
- Front design:
The design has the Cross of St Andrew in the background with a crown of laurel leaves and Scottish thistle.
- Obverse design:
Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Ralph David Maklouf, the third portrait of the Queen to be used on coins.
Designer: Norman Sillman
Norman Sillman was a sculptor and coin artist.
His early work involved creating sculptures on commission. He created many animal sculptures based on the animals at London Zoo, and designed scale model soldiers for Britains Ltd.
His first commission for the Royal Mint was in 1956 when he designed a coin for Bermuda. He then went on to design for Mints in the UK and the US and during his career he designed over 200 coins for 30 different countries.
His coins include the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977, the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer and the Investiture of the Prince of Wales in 1969. He also designed the first portrait of President Kenyatta to go on the first coins which were released when Kenya gained it’s independence.
Variations
8,212,184 1986 Commonwealth Games £2 were issued, but these were not circulated.
- Brilliant uncirculated coins are available
- 60,000 Silver Proof coins were produced
- Silver Proof Piedfort coins were produced
- Gold Proof coins were produced.
