Home £2 Coins Britannia £2 Coin

Britannia £2 Coin

by Simon Barker

britannia £2 coin

Information
  • Circulation: 3,575,000
  • Year issued: 2015, 2016
  • Edge inscription: Quatuor Maria Vindico (I will claim the four seas)
  • Value circulated: £2.00
  • Value circulated in excellent condition: £3.50
  • Value uncirculated: £10.00 upwards
  • Composition: Inner – cupro-nickel. Outer – Nickel-Brass
  • Scarcity index: 7

When the new coin set was designed many people campaigned to have Britannia back on our coinage. In 2015 and 2016 a limited number of Britannia £2 coins were issued. Coin collectors are keen to get these coins and lovers of history are also interested in them.

History of the coin

In 1986 the first £2 was issued. This coin was made from one metal and was to commemorate the 1986 Commonwealth Games. Further commemorative £2 have been issued and it wasn’t until 1998 that it became a circulating coin.

The new coin was bi-metallic and continues to be used for commemorative purposes.

About Britannia

Britannia is considered to be the figurehead of the United Kingdom and her likeness appears on many official documents.

She is usually wearing a Corinthian helmet and carrying a shield and trident. In 1672 she was first seen on an English coin, a farthing, and during the 18th and 19th centuries she was used more as a national figurehead.

How many Britannia £2 coins were made?

In total, 3,575,000 Britannia £2 coins were circulated. In 2015, just 650,000 were issued making this the most sought after. A further 2,925,000 were issued in 2016.

Design and Designer

The design shows a profile of Britannia with her battle gear and trident. The only wording is the coin denomination.

  • Obverse design:

The fifth portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Jody Clark.

  • Designer: Antony Dufort

Antony Dufort is a Council Member of the Society of Portrait Sculptors.

His work can be seen up and down the country. His sculptures include a statue of Margaret Thatcher for the Members’ Lobby in the House of Commons, a miner as a tribute to the coal and iron miners of the Forest of Dean, and at Lords Cricket Ground you can see his ‘diving catch’ which is an impressive sculpture of a cricketer in action.

He has only designed the one coin for the Royal Mint and says he used his wife as his inspiration for Britannia.

Variations

The Britannia £2 was released in 2015 and 2016. The circulation for the 2015 coin was only 650,000 and some of these have a minting error. On approximately 3,500 of these coins Britannia is not aligned with the portrait of the Queen on the other side.

  • Brilliant uncirculated coins are available
  • 6,000 Silver Proof coins were produced
  • 2,000 Silver Proof Piedfort coins were produced
  • 1,000 Gold Proof coins were produced.

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