Royal Mint issues full list of rarest £2 coins

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More info × Group 28 Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show Me No thanks, close See our Privacy Notice The Royal Mint is encouraging Brits to keep an eye out for certain coins, as it unveils a list of the nine rarest £2 pieces. As we edge closer to becoming a cashless society in the UK, loose change is becoming less common. However, there's always the chance that some of those lingering coins at home could be exceptionally rare.

£2 coins have been in circulation since 1998, having been minted the previous year, and many were issued in limited numbers (low mintage). A variety of commemorative £2 coins have been launched since 1998, featuring designs from the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and WWI commemorations. The Royal Mint has disclosed a list of the top nine rarest £2 coins, some of which are so sought-after they can command prices up to hundreds of pounds.

The most coveted is the Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland 2002 £2 coin, with a low mintage of 485,500. This coin is currently being auctioned on eBay starting at £100. Other rare £2 coins include the Britannia Fifth Portrait 2015, which is listed on eBay for a staggering £567.

72, reports the Manchester Evening News . Here's the complete list of rare £2 coins straight from the Royal Mint 9. Olympic Games Handover 2008 Olympic Games Handover 2008 £2 coin (Image: Royal Mint) Mintage: 918,000 The 2008 Olympic Games Handover £2 coin, designed by Thomas T.

Docherty, showcases the symbolic passing of the Olympic flag from one hand to another, with 'Beijing 2008' on the left and 'London 2012' on the right. The coin's edge inscription reads 'I CALL UPON THE YOUTH OF THE WORLD', celebrating the potential of global youth and the unity of the games. 8.

Olympic Games 2008 Olympic Games 2008 £2 coin (Image: Royal Mint) Mintage: 910,000 The 1908 London Olympic Games are commemorated in this coin. Designed by Thomas T. Docherty, it features a dynamic depiction of a running track, with the years 1908 and 2008 displayed within the outlines.

The edge inscription of this coin states 'THE 4TH OLYMPIAD LONDON.' 7. Olympic Games Handover 2012 Olympic Games Handover 2012 £2 coin (Image: Royal Mint) Mintage: 845,000 The 2012 Olympic Games Handover £2 coin, symbolises the passing of the Olympic flag from one host city to the next.

Jonathan Olliffe's design portrays a baton being passed between two hands, with the UK and Brazil flags united in motion. Like its 2008 counterpart, the coin carries the edge inscription 'I CALL UPON THE YOUTH OF THE WORLD'. 6.

Commonwealth Games, Scotland 2002 Commonwealth Games, Scotland 2002 £2 coin (Image: Royal Mint) Mintage: 771,750 The 2002 Commonwealth Games, hosted in Manchester, were a landmark moment in British sports, being the largest multi-sport event ever held in the UK. A Scotland coin from this period bears an edge inscription 'SPIRIT OF FRIENDSHIP, MANCHESTER 2002', and its reverse, designed by artist and sculptor Matthew Bonaccorsi, depicts a figure triumphantly raising a banner, symbolising celebration, victory and sportsmanship. 5.

Commonwealth Games, England 2002 Commonwealth Games, England 2002 £2 coin (Image: Royal Mint) Mintage: 650,000 This £2 coin, also designed by Matthew Bonaccorsi, showcases a figure in motion with a banner. The reverse side of the coin features the Saint George's Cross, encircled to the left. 4.

Britannia Fifth Portrait 2015 Britannia Fifth Portrait 2015 £2 coin (Image: Royal Mint) Mintage: 650,000 Antony Dufort's modern take on Britannia graces this coin. Having been a staple on British coins for over 300 years, Britannia made a comeback to British circulation in 2015, making it one of the rarest £2 coins. Despite replacing Bruce Rushin's Technology design, which had been featured on the coin since 1997, the initial 2015 release is scarce and popular among historical collectors.

3. WW1 Royal Navy Fifth Portrait 2015 WW1 Royal Navy Fifth Portrait 2015 £2 coin (Image: Royal Mint) Mintage: 650,000 This £2 coin pays tribute to the Royal Navy and holds both historical significance and collectable appeal. Designed by esteemed military artist David Rowlands, it features the HMS Royal Oak, a revenge-class battleship commissioned during the war.

The edge inscription reads 'THE SURE SHIELD OF BRITAIN'. 2. Commonwealth Games, Wales 2002 Commonwealth Games, Wales 2002 £2 coin (Image: Royal Mint) Mintage: 588,500 The £2 coin from the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Wales is a tribute to Welsh sporting prowess.

It showcases an individual brandishing a banner with the Welsh flag encircled. This coin has the honour of being the second rarest in the Commonwealth collection and the second rarest £2 coin on this list. 1.

Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland 2002 Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland 2002 £2 coin (Image: Royal Mint) Mintage: 485,500 The £2 coin from the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Northern Ireland is a collector's delight. It displays the Ulster Banner alongside a triumphant figure, making it a cherished piece for collectors and sports fans alike. With an impressively low mintage of 485,500, it tops our list as the rarest coin.

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