The Rarest UK £2 Coins

9. Olympic Games Handover 2008

Mintage: 918,000

Designed by Thomas T. Docherty, the reverse features the passing of the Olympic flag from hand to hand, ‘Beijing 2008’ on the left and ‘London 2012’ on the right. Boldly bearing the inscription ‘I CALL UPON THE YOUTH OF THE WORLD’ along its edge, the coin celebrates the potential of the world’s youth and the unity of the games.

8. Olympic Games 2008

Mintage: 910,000

In anticipation of the upcoming London 2012 Olympic Games, we produced a coin commemorating the centenary of the 1908 London Olympic Games. Designed by Thomas T. Docherty, a product designer at The Royal Mint, the reverse of the coin features a dynamic illustration of a running track with the years 1908 and 2008 displayed within the outlines. The edge inscription reads ‘THE 4TH OLYMPIAD LONDON.’

7. Olympic Games Handover 2012

Mintage: 845,000

Struck to commemorate the transition of the Olympic Games from London to Rio de Janeiro, the 2012 Olympic Games Handover £2 coin symbolises the passing of the Olympic flag from one host city to another. The reverse design, created by Jonathan Olliffe, depicts a baton being passed between two hands, with the flags of the UK and Brazil joined in motion. Like its predecessor, the coin carries the edge inscription ‘I CALL UPON THE YOUTH OF THE WORLD’.

6. Commonwealth Games, Scotland 2002

Mintage: 771,750

The 2002 Commonwealth Games held in Manchester, England, marked a significant milestone in British sporting history as the largest multi-sport event ever hosted in the UK 

The £2 commemorative coin series for the 2002 Commonwealth Games includes designs representing the four countries of the UK. The Scotland edition features an edge inscription that reads ‘SPIRIT OF FRIENDSHIP, MANCHESTER 2002’, whilst the reverse, created by artist and sculptor Matthew Bonaccorsi, shows a dynamic figure holding a banner aloft, symbolising celebration, victory and sportsmanship.

5. Commonwealth Games, England 2002

Mintage: 650,000

The 2002 Commonwealth Games England edition is the third rarest coin in the 2002 Commonwealth Games collection of designs.

Displaying a figure in motion holding a banner, designed by Matthew Bonaccorsi, the reverse of the coin features the Saint George’s Cross, encircled to the left.

4. Britannia Fifth Portrait 2015

Mintage: 650,000

Antony Dufort’s modern interpretation of Britannia is a piece of rich numismatic history and an iconic symbol of the nation.

Commonplace on British coinage for more than 300 years, Britannia made a triumphant return to British circulation in 2015, becoming one of the rarest £2 coins.

Despite the new design replacing Bruce Rushin’s Technology design, which had featured on the coin since 1997, the initial 2015 release is scarce and a favourite with historical collectors.

3. First World War Royal Navy Fifth Portrait 2015

Mintage: 650,000

As part of the commemorations of the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, this £2 coin honouring the Royal Navy holds both historical significance and collectable appeal. Designed by renowned military artist David Rowlands, the reverse displays a striking depiction of HMS Royal Oak, a revenge-class battleship commissioned during the war. Celebrating the strength and dedication of the Royal Navy, the edge inscription reads ‘THE SURE SHIELD OF BRITAIN’, which further emphasises the resilience of the nation.

Featuring final definitive coinage portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II it became a highly coveted collectable.   

2. Commonwealth Games, Wales 2002

Mintage: 588,500

The 2002 Commonwealth Games Wales £2 coin celebrates the sporting achievements of Wales. Featuring a figure in motion holding a banner with the Welsh flag encircled, this coin holds the distinction of being the second rarest in the Commonwealth set and the second rarest £2 coin in this list.

1. Commonwealth Games, Northern Ireland 2002

Mintage: 485,500

Cherished for its rarity and connection to the momentous sporting event, the 2002 Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland £2 coin is a gem with collectors. Featuring the Ulster Banner alongside a victorious figure, the coin holds a special place in the hearts of collectors and sporting enthusiasts. With a remarkably low mintage of 485,500, it is the rarest coin on our list.

Historical Commemorative £2 Coins

Prior to the introduction of the iconic bimetallic £2 coin, a series of special commemorative editions paved the way for celebrating significant moments in history, carefully made to honour and preserve the remarkable achievements and milestones that have shaped the nation. Now popular pieces with collectors, these commemorative designs, although not currently circulated, are also rare treasures

6. Tenth European Championship, 1996

Commemorating the 10th European Football Championship, it features a stylised representation of a football, with the year 1996 centrally placed and encircled by 16 small rings.

Designed by John Mills.

5. The 50th Anniversary of the Founding of the United Nations, 1995

Featuring the 50th anniversary symbol of the United Nations and a fanning pattern of flags, the coin bears the inscription ‘NATIONS UNITED FOR PEACE’ above and ‘1945-1995’ below.

Designed by Michael Rizzello.

4. 1945 In Peace Goodwill, 1995

Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the coin features a stylised representation of a dove as the symbol of peace.

Designed by John Mills.

3. The Tercentenary of the Establishment of the Bank of England, 1994

Features the Bank of England’s Corporate Seal, including the crown and cypher of King William and Queen Mary, along with the years 1694 and 1994.

Designed by Leslie Durbin.

2. The Tercentenary of the Bill of Rights, 1989

Features the ‘W&M’ (King William and Queen Mary) cypher interlaced, surmounting a Parliamentary Mace and representation of the Royal Crown above and the years 1689 and 1989 below, all within the inscription ‘TERCENTENARY OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS’.

Designed by John Lobban.

1. XIII Commonwealth Games Scotland, 1986

Features the Cross of St Andrew, a crown of laurel leaves and Scottish thistle.

Designed by Norman Sillman. 

Spectacular £2 Coins to Collect

If you’re looking to start your own collection, our curated coin collections provide an excellent entry point. Explore our diverse range of designs and themes, from historic events to pioneers, and begin your journey into the captivating realm of numismatics.

Shop £2 Coins