- Circulation: 1,690,000
- Year issued: 2013
- Edge inscription: A linear representation of the Tube map
- Value circulated: £2.00
- Value circulated in excellent condition: £4.00
- Value uncirculated: £25-40.00
- Composition: Inner – cupro-nickel. Outer – Nickel-Brass
- Scarcity index: 29
The London Underground celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2013. To mark the occasion the Royal Mint issued a commemorative £2. As one of the less common coins, coin collectors will love to add this to their collection. It is also popular for those with an interest in British history or in transport memorabilia.
History of the coin
The first £2 issued in 1986 commemorated the Commonwealth Games in Scotland. Until 1998, the coin was only used to commemorate special occasions, and it was the same colour all over. It was not put in to circulation until 1998, when it was given it’s bi-metallic look.
About the London Underground
The first stretch of the London Underground opened in January 1863 and went from Paddington to Farringdon Street.
Known as The Tube, it now stretches over 408 km and serves London and parts of the surrounding counties. It has 275 stations along 11 lines, and serves 3,000,000 passengers every day. It is the 12th busiest Underground system in the World and the 4th longest.
Although termed Underground, part of the system does run overground. The last line to open was the Victoria Line in 1968.
How many London Underground Train £2 coins were made?
The London Underground Train £2 is one of the less common coins, as just 1,690,000 were circulated.
Design and Designer
- Front design:
The design is of the front of one of the trains running on a track. The words ‘London Underground’ are at the top with the dates 1863 and 2013 on either side.
- Obverse design:
Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley
Designer: Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby
Jay Osgerby and Edward Barber run the design company Barber Osgerby.
They met while they were studying at The Royal College of Art in London and are both members of the Royal Designers for Industry. In 2013, they were both awarded the O.B.E. for services to the design industry.
Their work has been included in many well-known collections for B&B Italia, Swarovski and Venini. They won the Jerwood Applied Arts Prize for their work on the furniture for Portsmouth Cathedral. This led to other commissions and their work is even part of permanent collections in the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Art Institute of Chicago.
They designed the Olympic Torch for the London Olympics in 2012. Their design for the London Underground Train £2 is their only coin so far for the Royal Mint.
Variations
When it was issued in 2013, 1,690,000 London Underground Train £2 coins were circulated.
- Brilliant uncirculated coins are available
- 12,000 Silver Proof coins were produced
- 00 Silver Proof Piedfort coins were produced
- 1,000 Gold Proof coins were produced.
