Your guide to the Pre-1997 £2 Coins
In 1986, a brand new UK denomination was introduced in the form of a £2 coin.
These original £2 coins were never commonly found in circulation, as they were mainly struck for collectors. This made them much rarer than their successor, the bi-metallic £2 coin, as their mintage figures were much lower.
The pre-1997 £2 coins are still legal tender but they’re not used in circulation and banks/shops can refuse to accept them. Despite this, they still remain incredibly popular amongst collectors!
So, in this blog, we’ve put together a guide to the pre-1997 £2 coins, including everything you need to know about these collectable commemoratives.
What are old specification £2 coins?
The £2 coin has changed in its appearance since it’s first introduction in 1986…
The familiar, fully circulating bi-metallic £2 coin, was only introduced in 1998 and we’ve seen already seen over 50 different designs in total!
But prior to this, single-coloured, nickel-brass £2 coins were issued, purely to mark special occasions.
Between 1986 and 1996, there were seven different designs of the single-coloured £2 coins.
Spot the difference…
| Pre-1997 (old specification) | 1997 onwards (new specification) | |
| Weight | 15.976g | 12g |
| Diameter | 28.4mm | 28.4mm |
| Metal | Nickel-brass | Outer Nickel-Brass Inner Cupro-Nickel |
| Obverse Effigy | 1969-1985 – 2nd Portrait, Arnold Machin 1985-1997 – 3rd Portrait, Raphael Maklouf | 1997-2015 – 4th Portrait, Ian Rank-Broadley 2015-onwards – 5th Portrait, Jody Clark |
As you can see, although the diameter of the £2 coin stayed the same, the weight was significantly heavier in the pre-1997 £2 coins!
The metal composition also changed so that the new bi-metallic coin could be distinguishable from the other coins in circulation.
So, how many of these coins were issued? Let’s take a look at our Pre-1997 £2 Mintage Chart and see..
You might have spotted the top coin in our chart has a mintage of JUST 381,400! Let’s take a look at each of these coins in closer detail to get the full story…
1986 Commonwealth Games
Fact file:
- Year of issue: 1986
- Obverse designer: Arnold Machin
- Reverse designer: Norman Sillman
- Mintage: 8,212,184
The 1986 Commonwealth Games £2 coin changed the face of UK commemorative coins, being the first of its denomination to be struck and the first British coin being issued to commemorate a sporting event.
The thirteenth Commonwealth Games were held in Edinburgh in 1986, and are well remembered for being boycotted by 32 of the 59 eligible countries who did not agree with Britain’s sporting connections to South Africa during the Apartheid era.
The reverse design features a thistle encircled by a laurel wreath over the cross of St Andrew.
1996 Football
Fact file:
- Year of issue: 1996
- Obverse designer: Raphael Maklouf
- Reverse designer: John Mills
- Mintage: 5,141,350
In 1996, England hosted the 10th European football championship and a commemorative £2 coin was struck in celebration of football.
The reverse design resembles a football, and is accentuated by the unusual concave surface of the coin. The year of 1996 is prominent on the design and the sixteen small rings represent the sixteen teams competing in the tournament.
The eventual winners of the competition were Germany who knocked out hosts England in the semi-finals.
1995 Peace
Fact file:
- Year of issue: 1995
- Obverse designer: Raphael Maklouf
- Reverse designer: John Mills
- Mintage: 4,394,566
This commemorative £2 was issued in 1995 to mark 50 years since the end of World War II.
Victory in Europe Day, or VE Day, is the 8th May 1945 when armed forces formally accepted the surrender of Nazi Germany. Upon the news, jubilant crowds sang and danced in the streets of London, New York, Paris and Moscow.
The reverse design by John Mills features a dove as “a symbol of aspiring peace; a calm, bountiful and optimistic image”.
1989 Bill of Right
Fact file:
- Year of issue: 1989
- Obverse designer: Raphael Maklouf
- Reverse designer: John Lobban
- Mintage: 4,392,825
In 1689, Prince William and Mary accepted the Declaration of Rights prior to being offered the throne. This effectively shifted the balance of power from the Crown to Parliament and changed the course of British political history.
This £2 coin was issued in 1989 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of this landmark Act. There were 2 versions of the coin issued – English and Scottish.
This coin is the English reverse design , which features the Crown of St. Edward and the inscription ‘Tercentenary of the Bill of Rights’
1995 United Nations
Fact file:
- Year of issue: 1995
- Obverse designer: Raphael Maklouf
- Reverse designer: Michael Rizzello
- Mintage: 1,668,575
The United Nations was established in the aftermath of World War II with the aim of maintaining world peace and to work for social progress.
Since its creation in 1945, the UN has sought to resolve potential conflicts peacefully and fight against poverty, hunger and disease across the world.
This commemorative £2 coin issued in 1995 marks 50 years since the inception of the UN, and features flags of nations accompanying the 50th anniversary symbol.
1994 Bank of England
Fact file:
- Year of issue: 1994
- Obverse designer: Raphael Maklouf
- Reverse designer: Leslie Durbin
- Mintage: 1,668,575
When William and Mary came to the throne, public finances were weak and the system of money and credit were in disarray.
The Bank of England was founded in 1694 to act as the Government’s banker and debt manager, and its position as the centre of the UK’s financial system is maintained to this day.
This commemorative £2 was issued in 1994 to mark its 300th anniversary. The reverse design features the original Corporate Seal of the Bank of England and distinctive Cypher of William and Mary.
1989 Claim of Right
Fact file:
- Year of issue: 1989
- Obverse designer: Raphael Maklouf
- Reverse designer: John Lobban
- Mintage: 381,400
This is the second coin to be issued in 1989 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Prince William and Mary accepting the Declaration of Rights.
This Scottish reverse design features the Crown of Scotland and the inscription ‘Tercentenary of the Claim of Right’.
The mintage for this £2 however, is much lower. With just 381,400 issued, this technically makes it the rarest £2 coin ever! In comparison, the UK’s current rarest circulating £2 coin, the 2002 Commonwealth Games – Ireland, has a mintage of 485,500!
So hopefully our guide to the Pre-1997 £2 coins will help you along the way to expanding your collection!
What’s most exciting about all seven of these coins is that despite still being legal tender, they’re not used in circulation anymore and banks/shops can refuse to accept them. This makes these coins particularly sought-after by collectors!
Do you have any of these coins in your collection already? Let us know in the comments below!
Own the UK’s FIRST-EVER Commemorative £2 Coin!
I have all 7 of these £2 coins including 2 x 1989 Scotish ” Tercentenary of the claim of right ” in mint condition.
Wow! That’s a very impressive collection Philip!
Yeah got quite a few of each
I have all 7 coins. Plus the 1986 proof set also every 50p from 1969 to 1997 old large size
Sounds like you’ve got an impressive collection, Phillip!
HI PHILLIP
DID YOU KNOW THAT IF YOU COLLECT ALL THE 50p coins from all the sets
You have at least 167 different 50p coins, that does not include any of the collenies
Les.
willing to make offer for the 7 £2 coins
I have several of these coins (10) in all
Yep. So do I. I have all £2 from 1986 to the latest coin thats just been released this year including all 50ps from pre 1997 and all 29 Olympic 50p coins to the latest coin that’s just been released this year so far
All 7 of the £2coins…i’ll offer you £13.50 for the lot..!?? seriously though, bloody well done!??
That’s a great collection, Paul! Congrats on having them all 🙂
Got them all also and gave them to my daughter who collects £2 coins. She was thrilled with them..
What a lovely gift to your daughter, Terry!
I have 6 football
2 peace
4 claim of rights
2 commonwealth games
2 united nations
Need to keep 2 of each for two grandsons who are keen collectors but am willing to trade the spares if anyone is interested
Wow, it’s amazing that you’ve got 4 Claim of Rights £2 coins, Marie!
I’m sure lots of collectors would happily do a swap with you. Are you a member of our swap centre? https://www.changechecker.org/swaps.aspx
Thanks,
Alex
very interested in a claim of rights £2 coin
Hi Marie, would love to swap one of your Claim of Rights. It is the only one I still need. What would you accept for it? Regards, Danny
I have all 7 of these 2 pound coins in proof condition luckily I bought them all of ebay for only 30 pounds when a seller put all the proof ones on for a low starting price and I got them really cheaply,that’s why you should never start at a low starting price,but luckily it worked in my favour…
Hi there
I am fortunate enough to have a all the single metal £2 coins in circulated uncirculated and proof
and I also have them in my two £2 collection, but did you know ( I stand to be corrected ) that the
BILL OF RIGHTS, THE CLAIM OF RIGHTS and THE NATIONS UNITED FOR PIECE are the
only £2 coins not to have an edge inscription, which makes it very awkward if you collect the up
and down edge inscription £2 coins.
Les.
HI Les,
You’re spot on! The Bill of Rights, Claim of Rights and United Nations £2 coins all have a milled edge, rather than an edge inscription! Excellent coin knowledge.
Alex 🙂
I have 3 Peace coins are they worth anything ?
Hi Dawn,
Unfortunately we can’t provide valuations on coins, but you can use our helpful 6 Point Guide to Valuing Your Own Coin blog to help you: https://www.changechecker.org/2018/08/02/could-i-be-minted-the-6-point-guide-to-valuing-your-coin/
Thanks!
Alex
I have the full set of circulated coins, I also have the full set in proof sets and a silver proof claim of rights.
Wow, that’s an impressive collection, Howard!
I have Six if the Seven, just lacking Claim of Rights
Keep on the search for the Claim of Rights £2, Nigel!
I am lucky enough to have 2 sets of these coins.
Will be selling them in good time
You’re very lucky indeed, Steve! 🙂
Six of the coins circulated, nations united for peace uncirculated.
Doubles= bill of rights, 1986 commonwealth games. X2 circulated
Hi i have all seven coins + 2 doubles
What a great addition to your collection, George!
I HAVE ALL 7 OF THESE COINS, THE CLAIM OF RIGHTS BEING THE HARDEST TO FIND.
I DON’T KNOW HOW MANY DOUBLES I HAVE OF THESE 7 £2 COINS, DUE TO BEING IN HOSPITALS WITH COVID 19 PLUS DOUBLE PNEUMONIA FOR 5/6 MONTHS OF 2020.
Congratulations on finding the Claim of Rights £2!
I hope you’ve made a speedy recovery, John.
Hi John
Keep fighting it mate you will get through it
Les.
I would be totally ecstatic to own these if anyone would like to sell
It would be an amazing collection to own 🙂
Hi.
So what are the values of these coins today..
Hi Steve,
Unfortunately we can’t give valuations on coins but you can use our helpful 6 Point Guide to Valuing Your Own Coins: https://www.changechecker.org/2018/08/02/could-i-be-minted-the-6-point-guide-to-valuing-your-coin/
Thanks 🙂
Alex
I have all the pre coins except the Claim of Rights
Wow! That’s great!
I am in the fortunate position of owning all 7 of these coins and would consider selling them as a set if the right offer was made
Wow, you’re very lucky indeed Steve!