The Royal Mint are one of the mints most involved in commemorating the First World War, along with hose in Australia, and with five years of coins being released on these landmark dates there will undoubtedly be something that appeals to the collector. To date there have been some great coins released, a six-coin set, some larger 5oz and 1kg coins, and a £20 for £20 coin that was a big hit.

Next up we have the £2 coin that was shown late last year as part of the United Kingdom’s circulating currency for 2015, but now in precious metal form with the release of standard and double-thickness part-gilded silver coins, and in 22kt gold as well.

It’s a great design in our opinion, especially within the limitations of the £2 coin requirements (the border robs space from the centre), and depicts a Dreadnaught-class battleship under way. The David Rowland’s penned coin has an edge inscription that reads ‘THE SURE SHIELD OF BRITAIN’, a reference to the might of Britain’s navy at the time. The sterling silver versions mimic the bi-metallic look of the circulating coins by gilding the border and edge to create a nice effect. We prefer it to the gold but you might feel differently.

Available now, the logo-link at the bottom takes you straight there.

MINTS DESCRIPTION

David Rowlands has created a detailed design featuring a mighty battleship to honour a force as great as the sea, and the crucial role played by the Royal Navy in the First World War. His mighty battleship design is simply magnificent on this gold, gilded silver, or double-thickness Piedfort coin, struck in 925 sterling silver to our Proof quality. What a tribute it is, as we remember the centenary of the First World War and take a journey from outbreak to armistice until 2018. And in these important anniversary years The Royal Mint has joined forces with the Imperial War Museum to ensure the memory of the war and those who fought lives on – their experts have assisted in the preparation of the fascinating booklet that accompanies your coin.
Your handsome coin is presented in a Royal Mint display case complete with a Certificate of Authenticity that is numbered to confirm the low issue limit.

While the Great War is remembered most for the desolate miles of no man’s land and the desperation of the trenches, the Navy played an essential part. They fought not only at sea but on land and in the air, almost 35,000 men lost in securing victory.

This official UK £2 coin, the second in a series that will continue until 2018, bears a design by respected military artist David Rowlands. A mighty Royal Navy battleship is at the very heart of the design – in the years preceding the war Britain had embraced a transformation in naval technology, building a Grand Fleet that would rival even the most powerful of enemies. It stands as a symbol of the power of the Navy, a force that would overcome the threat of the German High Seas Fleet and the peril of the U-boats to enforce a blockade that strangled Germany’s war economy and protected Britain’s supply routes. Such a detailed design will intrigue collectors, those interested in maritime history and anyone who wants to learn more about the wartime story of the Royal Navy, a force as great as the sea.

SPECIFICATION

DENOMINATION METAL WEIGHT DIAMETER MINTAGE (MAX) PRICE
£2 0.925 SILVER 12.0 g 28.4 mm 5,000 (8,500) £50
£2 0.925 SILVER 24.0 g 28.4 mm 2,500 (4,000) £100
£2 0.9167 GOLD 15.97 g 28.4 mm 750 (900) £750
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