350 Years of the Royal Observatory, Greenwich celebrated on a UK £2 coin
Originally released as part of the 2025 Annual Coin Set, the 2025 UK Royal Greenwich Observatory £2 is now available to own individually for the very first time – and it’s bursting with history and symbolism.
Explore the UK Royal Observatory, Greenwich £2 Coin Range >>
Celebrating 350 Years of Innovation and Exploration
In 1675, King Charles II commissioned the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, unknowingly setting in motion centuries of astronomical discovery, navigational breakthroughs and global timekeeping.
Image Credit: DiscoA340, via Wikimedia Commons
Greenwich is where East meets West, and home to the Prime Meridian – an invisible line that runs through the very ground. The Royal Observatory is where Greenwich Mean Time was born, and it’s been guiding explorers, scientists and seafarers ever since.
Now, 350 years on, this iconic institution has been honoured on a UK £2 coin.
A Design Packed with Symbolism
Created by renowned designer Henry Gray, the reverse design of the 2025 Royal Greenwich Observatory £2 is a treasure trove for collectors.
Here’s what you’ll spot:
- The Shepherd Gate Clock – one of the world’s first public displays of Greenwich Mean Time.
- Ursa Minor and Polaris – the constellation and star used for celestial navigation across centuries.
- The Prime Meridian on a globe – marking the division between East and West.
- And along the edge, the words: “PERFECTING THE ART OF NAVIGATION” – a phrase taken from the Observatory’s founding Royal Warrant.
Every detail speaks to the Observatory’s unmatched contribution to science, timekeeping, and navigation.
Watch our video
Deserving of a space in your collection
You can secure the 2025 UK Royal Observatory £2 in Brilliant Uncirculated quality, or for something truly special, it’s also available in Silver Proof and Silver Piedfort.
The Silver Proof version has an edition limit of 1,500, and just 650 of the Silver Piedfort coins are available. Demand for these coins is expected to be high, so don’t hesitate as you may miss out on securing yours!
The Coins That Nearly Didn’t Exist: The Unique Story Behind the Tutankhamun Treasures 50p Set
In 1922, the world was captivated by the discovery of Tutankhamun’s Tomb – a treasure trove of ancient Egyptian artefacts buried beneath the sands of time.
Over 100 years later, that moment has been honoured with a remarkable set of 50p coins – The Tutankhamun Treasures BU 50p Collection.
Approved by TWO monarchs and featuring THREE distinct dates, these coins carry a story as compelling as the artefacts they commemorate…
Watch our latest video below to discover the story behind the Tutankhamun Treasures BU 50p Set.
Approved by TWO monarchs
Originally approved by Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, the Tutankhamun Treasures 50p Coins were among the very last coins to receive her approval before her sad passing in September 2022.
But the change in monarchy put everything on pause. To proceed, the coins needed to be resubmitted to Buckingham Palace and King Charles III.
And in early 2023, the coins were officially reauthorised for release by King Charles III – now bearing His Majesty’s effigy by Glyn Davies, these were the FIRST 50p coins ever issued with this portrait.
Featuring THREE distinct dates
The unusual journey that these coins took to be released has created a truly rare collecting quirk – each coin features three different years!
- 1922 – Marking the discovery of Tutankhamun’s Tomb
- 2022 – When Queen Elizabeth II first approved the coins
- 2023 – When King Charles III re-authorised the coins for release
Triple-dated coins are exceptionally uncommon in numismatic history. In fact, the most comparable example was the Team GB 50p issued after the delayed 2020 Olympics – and that became one of the most sought-after coins of its year.
Time is running out…
We’re now down to our last remaining stocks of the Tutankhamun Treasures 50p Set, which means it won’t be long until these coins are lost to the sands of time…
Each coin in the collection has been struck to a Brilliant Uncirculated finish and features an ancient artefact that was discovered in Tutankhamun’s Tomb – including his iconic Death Mask, the Anubis Shrine, a Pendant, a Corselet and a model of the young pharaoh’s torso.
Celebrate the 20th Wedding Anniversary of King Charles III and Queen Camilla
On 9th April 2025, we celebrate a significant milestone in the history of the British Royal Family — the 20th Wedding Anniversary of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Their enduring partnership, which began officially in 2005, has become a cornerstone of the modern monarchy. To honour this landmark occasion, a specially curated collection of commemorative coins and covers has been released, showcasing royal elegance and craftsmanship.
A Royal Wedding with a Twist of History… resulting in an error.
Originally scheduled for 8th April 2005, the royal wedding was unexpectedly postponed due to Prince Charles attending the funeral of Pope John Paul II. The ceremony ultimately took place on 9th April, but by then the Royal Mail had already issued a Miniature Stamp Sheet marked with the original wedding date. This rare philatelic detail is now a part of the anniversary collection — a historical quirk that adds both charm and collector’s value to the commemorative items.
The Design: Elegance and Tribute
At the heart of the collection is a beautiful coin design featuring a dual effigy of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla. It is detailed with the original wedding date, the anniversary year, denomination, and the inscription “20th Wedding Anniversary.” This harmonious design captures both their regal stature and the sentiment of the occasion.
Explore the Collectibles
The Brilliant Uncirculated £5 Coin (Product Code: 921J) is a fantastic entry-level piece for collectors. Priced at £15.50 (plus £2.99 p&p), it comes presented in a sleek blue Westminster coin wallet and includes a Certificate of Authenticity.
For those seeking a more premium finish, the Silver Proof £5 Coin is available at £125.00 (plus £3.99 p&p) or via five monthly instalments of £25.00. The Westminster Collection has secured an allocation of 150 coins for UK collectors. Each coin has been struck from sterling silver to an immaculate Proof finish. It is housed in a small black presentation box, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.
The Gold Proof £5 Coin stands at the pinnacle of this commemorative range. Only 10 coins are available for UK collectors, each struck from 22 Carat Gold to a Proof finish. Housed in a refined black presentation box, it includes a numbered certificate and an informative booklet.
Completing the collection is the 20th Anniversary BU £5 Cover, priced at £29.99 (plus £3.99 p&p). This highly collectible cover features the original Royal Mail Miniature ‘error’ Stamp Sheet dated 8th April 2005 and is officially postmarked by Royal Mail on the actual wedding anniversary — 9th April 2025. Errors like an incorrect anniversary date on a stamp are seldom seen, making this Cover a fascinating and truly special tribute to the royal occasion. Presented in a white card folder, it comes with a certificate of authenticity and is limited to just 495 editions, making it a unique philatelic tribute to this royal celebration.
Secure your piece of royal history today, available exclusively on our website. Whether you’re adding to a collection or gifting a moment of history, these anniversary tributes are a celebration of love, legacy, and the enduring British monarchy.