- Circulation: 1,040,000
- Year issued: 2011
- Edge inscription: Your Noblest Shippe 1511
- Value circulated: £2.00
- Value circulated in excellent condition: £4.50
- Value uncirculated: £20.00 upwards-
- Composition: Inner – cupro-nickel. Outer – Nickel-Brass
- Scarcity index: 51
The Mary Rose £2 was issued in 2011 to mark the 500th anniversary of the maiden voyage of the ship. History lovers and coin collectors and both keen to find this coin particularly as it is ranked as a scarcer coin.
History of the coin
Commemorative £2 coins have been issued since 1986. The first one was for the Commonwealth Games which was held in Scotland that year.
It was then decided that there was a requirement for a circulating coin and the £2 officially went in to circulation in 1998. The biggest change in the design was the colour. The commemorative £2 was made from one metal while the circulating coin was made from two.
About the Mary Rose
The Mary Rose was the flagship of Henry VIII.
Construction started in 1510 and it was launched in 1511. The ship was named after his sister, Mary. In 1545 during a conflict with the French fleet, it sank in the Solent. The reason for this has not been identified, as there is no evidence that the French boats sank it. Only 35 crew members survived.
In 1965 a search was begun to find the wreckage and in 1971, three port frames were found. In 1982 the wreckage was successfully raised and the ship it is now located in Portsmouth where visitors can view it.
How many Mary Rose £2 coins were made?
The Mary Rose £2 is the 6th scarcest £2 with 1,040,00 being circulated.
Design and Designer
The coin shows an image of the ship complete with ribbons, with the words ‘Mary Rose’ above it on the perimeter.
- Obverse design:
Iain Rank-Broadley’s portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
- Designer: John Bergdahl
John Bergdahl is a coinage artist who has designed many coins for the Royal Mint.
He specialises in royal celebrations and events and was the designer behind the commemorative £5 for the christening of Princess Charlotte.
He has designed many commemorative and circulating coins and among these are a Gallipoli World War I £5 and the Magna Carta £2.
Variations
The Mary Rose £2 has a circulation of just 1,040,000.
- Brilliant uncirculated coins are available
- 6,800 Silver Proof coins were produced
- 2,000 Silver Proof Piedfort coins were produced
- 700 Gold Proof coins were produced.
