The Royal Mint has unveiled a collectable £2 coin to commemorate 25 years since the its creation.
The new £2 bears the same bi-metallic colouring as the first released version released back in 1997, featuring the work by artist Bruce Rushin. Following the decision to introduce the coin into circulation in back 1994, Mr Rushin won a competition to design it.
The two coloured coin is fashioned to be easily distinguishable from others. Prices for the new anniversary edition of the £2 range from £12 for a brilliant uncirculated version to £1,225 for a gold version.
Inspired by the history of technological achievement, Mr Rushin’s original design features four concentric circles, depicting industrial and technological progress from the Iron Age to the internet.
Visiting the Royal Mint for the official release, Mr Rushin told PA: “It was an astonishing feeling when my design was selected to appear on the first ever UK £2 coin. Twenty-five years later, it is an honour to have my design feature once again on the collectable £2 coin celebrating its anniversary.
“Visiting the Royal Mint to see the coins being struck has been fascinating. Being able to see the level of skill and craftsmanship that goes into making a collectable coin these days was very special.
“When compared to how the £2 coin was first produced, it shows just how much the technology has developed and was a real eye-opener for me.”
Mr Rushin's design features on circulating £2 coins dated 1997 to 2015. It has been released once more for the new commemorative edition and enhanced with special features.
A latent feature has been added to the design to reveal the number “25” within the central cog when it catches the light. The Mint also said that state-of-the-art laser technology has been used to achieve a sharper detail than the milling machine used in 1997.
Struck for the 2022 anniversary, the commemorative edition bears the fifth coinage portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse side of the coin.
The Mint said this is the first time in the history of the £2 coin that the portrait by Jody Clark features on the opposite side of the design.
The Royal Mint has committed to releasing coins dated 2022 bearing the Queen’s portrait to ensure a sustainable transition to coinage featuring the King. The obverse side of the anniversary coin also features an “iron age” privy mark to the bottom of the portrait of the Queen.
As with the 1997 design, the coin features the edge inscription “standing on the shoulders of giants”, taken from a letter written in 1676 by Sir Isaac Newton.
Since it was first struck 25 years ago, the bi-metallic £2 is the largest circulating coin denomination in the UK, featuring more than 50 unique designs commemorating significant scientific, technological, sporting, and literary achievements.
Rebecca Morgan, director of collector services at the Royal Mint said: “It has been 25 years since the UK £2 coin was first struck for circulation, we are delighted to be celebrating this occasion with a new collectable £2 coin bearing the same design that first appeared in people’s change.
“As the largest denomination in circulation, the £2 coin has become a favoured piece amongst collectors, commemorating milestone anniversaries and events throughout the UK’s history.”
Certain coins are highly sought after by collectors as some are worth more than expected. Those created in small batches or to mark occasions can sell for hundreds, so now might be a good time to check your change.
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