First World War £2 Coin: A Collector’s Guide
In the world of coin collecting many commemorative coins have been issued, but few are as historically powerful as the First World War £2 coin series. Struck between 2014 and 2018, these coins marked the centenary of the First World War (1914–1918) and paid tribute to the men and women who played vital roles in the conflict.
For coin collectors and history enthusiasts alike, the WW1 £2 coins are much more than currency — they are miniature memorials, designed to keep the memory of the Great War alive.
Designs in the First World War £2 Coin Series
The Royal Mint released several WW1 commemorative £2 coins, each telling a different part of the story:
- 2014 Kitchener £2 Coin – “Your Country Needs You”
The first coin in the series features Lord Kitchener’s iconic recruitment poster, one of the most famous images of the war. - 2015 Royal Navy £2 Coin
Honouring the Royal Navy, this coin shows a battleship cutting through the waves. A rare “flag error” variety makes some of these coins especially sought-after by collectors. - 2016 Army £2 Coin – Pals Battalions
This design reflects the camaraderie of the volunteer soldiers who enlisted and served together. - 2017 Aviation £2 Coin
Celebrating the early days of military flight, this issue highlights the role of aircraft in the First World War. - 2018 Armistice £2 Coin
Marking 100 years since the end of the war, this coin features a symbolic design representing peace and remembrance.
Together, the set of First World War £2 coins forms a complete narrative of Britain’s role in the conflict, from recruitment to remembrance.
Errors found on WW1 Coins
2014 First World War Kitchener £2 – Missing denomination
This £2 coin was issued in 2014 to mark 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War. It features an image of Lord Kitchener who was a prominent figure on British government propaganda campaigns during the time.
A total of 5,720,000 of these coins entered circulation, so finding one in your change is not unlikely. However, a small number are believed to have been released without the ‘Two Pounds’ denomination on the obverse.
In some cases, the denomination is included within the reverse design instead, which explains why it may not also appear on the obverse. A good example of this is the Trinity House £2 coin, issued earlier in the same year, where the wording appears on the reverse.
It is thought that the dies used to strike the obverse of the Trinity House £2 were mistakenly carried over when production of the First World War Centenary £2 coins began—resulting in some pieces lacking the denomination altogether.
To date, only two of these ‘error’ coins have been reported in circulation. Remarkably, the first confirmed example was sold by Lockdales Auctioneers in March 2020 for £500.
The First World War (1914–1918) was a defining chapter in Britain’s history. From the trenches of the Western Front to advances in aviation and naval power, the conflict reshaped the world. The Royal Mint’s £2 coins commemorate this legacy—not only as sought-after collectibles, but also as enduring reminders of sacrifice, resilience, and national memory.
2015 First World War Navy £2 – ‘Flag’ error
When the Navy £2 was released in 2015, it quickly captured attention in the collecting world after being revealed as one of the lowest mintage commemorative £2 coins, with only 650,000 struck.
The original design (below left) depicts the mast without any additional detail. However, sharp-eyed collectors later observed that some coins appeared to show a small flag flying at the top.
As shown by the two coins above, the coin on the right appears to feature a small flag at the top of the mast, whereas the first coin is completely unmarked.
This led many collectors to question whether two distinct versions of the Navy £2 coin had been released into circulation. However, it was later confirmed that the appearance of the “flag” was not part of the design. Instead, it is believed to have resulted from a cracked die during production.
Should You Add a WWI £2 Coin to Your Collection?
While the 2014 Kitchener and 2015 Royal Navy coins were released into general circulation, the later issues (Army, Aviation, Armistice) were struck mainly for collector sets, making them harder to find in everyday change.
If you’re collecting UK commemorative £2 coins, the First World War series is one of the most significant. Use the link below to explore our website and discover a wide range of WWI, WWII and military-themed collectables to help build your collection.
These coins are popular with:
- Collectors – seeking historically meaningful £2 issues.
- History enthusiasts – preserving the memory of the Great War.
- Families with military connections – looking for a lasting tribute.
At The Westminster Collection, we always strive to ensure the highest level of accuracy for our collectors. If you spot any inaccuracies or have additional insights, please don’t hesitate to let us know — we’ll be happy to review and update our blog accordingly.