Posts Tagged ‘£2 Coin’
The Battle of the Atlantic £2 Coin Set
The Battle of the Atlantic was a pivotal campaign during the Second World War, spanning from 1939 to 1945. It was the longest-lasting battle of the entire conflict, and 2023 marks the 80th anniversary of a crucial turning point known as ‘Black May.’ During this period, 25 percent of the German U-boat fleet was destroyed, signalling a significant shift in the tide of the war. To honour this historic event, a special three-coin Brilliant Uncirculated £2 set has been released.
Use the interactive image below to explore this brand new set and witness a Battle in the Atlantic.
Three Unique Designs
Renowned coin artist David Lawrence has crafted three distinct designs for this special set, each depicting a crucial moment from the Battle of the Atlantic. These designs not only serve as a testament to the bravery and sacrifices made by those who participated but also as an educational tool, reminding us of the importance of this historical event. Each coin tells a story.
CONVOY
Merchant ships are being targeted by a U-boat. You can see the periscope viewfinder as part of the design. By May 1945, in the Atlantic alone, over 2,200 British and Allied merchant ships had been sunk, totalling well over 13 million tons, as well as 100 Allied naval vessels and 600 RAF Coastal Command aircraft. Of these ships, no less than 2003 had been sunk by U-boats.
MAP
This design shows a map of the shipping lane main routes. There are silhouettes of the ships and U-boats; it also shows the key action zones during the ongoing battle.
LIFEBOAT
The third coin depicts a scene of destruction where a U-boat has succeeded. A lifeboat is picking up survivors from the wreck as the burning ship sinks in the background.
The coins in this set have been struck to a superior Brilliant Uncirculated quality. This means they are in pristine condition, free from the wear and tear found on circulating coins.
To preserve the quality of these commemorative coins for generations to come, they are presented in a stunning presentation pack. This protective housing not only adds to their visual appeal but also safeguards them from potential damage.
By owning this set, you not only possess a piece of history but also contribute to preserving the memory of those who fought valiantly during this critical campaign of World War II. Don’t miss the opportunity to reserve yours today and honour the heroes of the Battle of the Atlantic.
Crafting History in Art: Exclusive Interview with Steve Wyse – The Creative Mind Behind The History of British Railways £2 Sets
Prepare to be transported into the world of artistic ingenuity as we present a captivating interview with Steve Wyse, an esteemed Honorary Member of the Guild of Railway Artists. Join us in exploring the creative process, inspiration, and meticulous attention to detail that culminated in the exquisite designs gracing the freshly minted History of British Railways £2 Sets, creating a bridge between history and numismatic art.
Tracing Tracks: Unveiling the History of British Railways BU and Silver £2 Coin Sets
In the annals of British history, the year 1923 marks a pivotal moment that reshaped the nation’s railway landscape forever. A convergence of 120 regional railway companies gave rise to four prominent entities, as a result of the Railway Act of 1921.
Now, in a splendid tribute to this transformative event, special Brilliant Uncirculated and Silver Proof £2 Coin sets have been issued.
This extraordinary coin collection stands as a tribute to an era when steam and steel connected cities, fuelled the Industrial Revolution, and united the kingdom.
Click the circles below to find out more about the design and the sets:
Each gleaming £2 coin encapsulates the essence of a bygone era, immortalising five of the most iconic locomotives that once traversed the British countryside. Encased in special presentation packs, these coins are elevated by the artistic brilliance of Steve Wyse, an Honorary Member of the Guild of Railway Artists. Through his skillful renderings, the spirit of each locomotive comes alive, inviting you to relive the golden age of rail travel.
But for those who seek the pinnacle of numismatic excellence, we invite you to take a step further. Behold the History of British Railways Silver Proof £2 Coin Set—a masterpiece that merges history, artistry, and exclusivity.
Limited to just 295 sets worldwide and meticulously struck from Sterling Silver, each coin has been crafted with precision and minted to perfection. These sterling silver coins are a stunning homage to the railway heritage.
Each coin is a portal to the past, an ode to innovation, and a salute to the journeys that shaped a nation. Choose your piece of history and become a guardian of the tracks that connect the past to the present.
The end of an era: The final stamps of Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II has graced UK stamps for 70 years, but now we’re coming to the end of an era; Royal Mail have released their final commemorative stamp issue with the Queen’s silhouette, celebrating the centenary of the world’s most famous locomotive – Flying Scotsman.
So, before we steam ahead towards the BRAND-NEW Flying Scotsman editions, let’s take a look back at Queen Elizabeth II’s iconic 70-year reign in UK postage…
The beginning of Queen Elizabeth II stamps
1953 marked the beginning of Her Majesty’s Reign and the introduction of the Wildings – a series of definitive postage and revenue stamps featuring Dorothy Wilding’s portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, which were used up until 1967.
The first four stamps to be issued within this series were for Her Majesty’s 1953 Coronation, presented in the colours of Carmine-Red, Ultramarine, Deep Yellow-Green and Deep Grey-Blue.
Commemorative stamps were then introduced during the 1950s and early 1960s. However, the Postmaster General, Tony Benn, proposed a new criteria outlining what could appear on them. From 1965, it was decided that all GB stamps had to include a small silhouette of the Queen based on the coinage head of Mary Gillick, which then became the standard.
Two once-in-a-lifetime tributes
And now, Royal Mail have issued twelve commemorative editions featuring Flying Scotsman.
Not only are they the official UK stamps to mark the centenary of the world’s most famous locomotive, but they will also be the last to show the Queen’s silhouette after 70 years – marking two incredible moments in British history!
These nostalgic editions portray the steam locomotive travelling through North Yorkshire, Northumberland, Berwick-on-Tweed and London’s Victoria Station. Inspired by poster artwork from the 1920s and 1930s, Royal Mail’s spokesman David Gold intends for them to evoke “the golden age of steam travel”.
Your chance to celebrate both!
To pay tribute to such monumental moments in history, a limited-edition coin and stamp cover has been released, comprised of The Royal Mint’s Official UK 2023 Flying Scotsman £2 in Brilliant Uncirculated Quality along with Royal Mail’s BRAND-NEW Flying Scotsman stamps.
But considering these are the last UK stamps to feature Queen Elizabeth II, we are predicting insatiable demand – and we have already seen sell-outs at The Royal Mint for the Flying Scotsman coin range.
All steams ahead! Click here to secure one for your collection now >>