The UK £2 Coin: Hits Above its Weight
A UK £2 coin is worth more than just two pounds if the coin is a limited-edition version or a rare variant. These coins get a lot of attention from collectors and can fetch good prices at auctions. Buy some for yourself on eBay and cash in on the trend.
Determine the desirability of your £2 coins
Since the release of the original £2 bi-metallic coins in 1998, more than 40 UK such coins have been in circulation. However, not all coins are equally desirable or sought-after. A major factor determining a £2 coin’s value in the collectors’ market is its mintage or rarity. The lower the mintage, the rarer and more loved the coin becomes. The design, purpose, and construction materials also add to the overall value.
What are some of the best £2 coins to collect?
Based on the rarity (mintage levels), design, and materials, the following £2 coins are desirable or should appreciate over time:
- Inverted Effigy (2015): Around 3,000 of the Britannia £2 coins have the Queen’s head offset by close to 150 degrees compared to the original coin, which makes them the rarest.
- Manchester Commonwealth Games (2002): Honours the Commonwealth Games held in 2002 in Manchester.
- The Royal Navy (2015): Commemorates the efforts of the Royal Navy in the First World War.
- London 2012 Handover: Represents the handover formality where the relay baton was handed over to Rio.
- 2015 Magna Carta: Marks the Magna Carta’s 800th anniversary.
£2 coin uses
If selling £2 coins for a profit doesn’t excite you, you may use these coins for:
- Births and christenings: The gifting tradition goes back centuries.
- Wedding traditions: Married couples can exchange coins as a sign of their love.
- Christmas: The festive season is the time to give – gifting a rare £2 coin fits well with Christmas celebrations.
- Wishing luck: A £2 coin is a way to wish someone you know good luck.
Is it easy to identify authentic £2 coins from fakes?
Yes. Replica £2 coins are made in countries outside the UK, where it may not be illegal to do so. To rule out a fake £2 coin, do one or all of the following:
- A magnet test to check if the coin is metal.
- Head to The Royal Mint’s office and confirm if the state-authorised mint has truly produced the coin before or cross-check it with the image of an actual coin on the mint’s website.
- Check for a lack of detail in the coin’s portrait, missing designer initials, whether the silver-coloured core is flush with the outer golden ring, etc.