Posts Tagged ‘£2 coins’
Discover the ghostly secrets of the Tower of London
Standing tall on the banks of the River Thames for nearly a millennium, The Tower of London is one of the most iconic landmarks in Britain and has been centre of some of the nation’s most dramatic events…
It was built by William the Conqueror in 1078 and in the years that have followed it has served as a royal residence, a fortress, a prison, a Mint and it is still the home of the Crown Jewels to this day.
With all this history, it’s no surprise that the Tower is associated with some of Britain’s most famous figures from iconic royals through to dastardly criminals!
Watch our latest video below to discover some of the famous figures who have walked – and perhaps still do walk – the Tower’s hallowed halls!
Continue reading to find out about the ULTIMATE Tower of London £2 Coin and Stamp Cover.
JUST £20: The Tower of London BU £2 Cover
Today you have the opportunity to secure the BRAND NEW Tower of London BU £2 Coin Cover for JUST £20 (+p&p).
This is the MOST LIMITED way to own the sought-after Tower of London £2 in Brilliant Uncirculated quality.
Your Tower of London Cover brings together the BU £2, released as part of the British Castles £2 Set, alongside the Royal Mail’s Tower of London 1st Class Stamp. Each Cover features specially-commissioned artwork and will be officially postmarked on 5th November 2024 – the anniversary of Guy Fawkes’ imprisonment.
ONLY 2,024 Covers will be released. Click here to secure yours for JUST £20 (+p&p) >>
BEHIND THE DESIGN: The hidden features in the Winston Churchill £2 Set
Remembered as Britain’s legendary wartime leader, a Nobel Prize winning author and a passionate painter… Sir Winston Churchill wore many “hats” in his long and varied life.
And these are some of his roles and responsibilities that have been thoughtfully honoured with the BRAND NEW Sir Winston Churchill £2 Coin Set.
Watch our video below to discover the story behind each design in this special collection – including some special hidden features!
Already in HIGH DEMAND with collectors, each design by David Young reflects on Churchill’s undeniable legacy…
The Leader
His most famous role, Churchill is best known for leading Great Britain during World War II, where his indomitable spirit and strategic foresight rallied the British people and helped to navigate the challenges of war. David’s design shows Churchill making his famous “V for Victory” gesture…
The Writer
Churchill was a prolific writer, penning several historical accounts and memoirs. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1953 and that very prize can be seen in David’s design.
The Orator
Renowned for his powerful and stirring oratory, Churchill delivered some of the most memorable speeches in history, such as the “We shall fight them on the beaches” speech and a famous line from that very speech is inscribed as part of the coin’s design.
The Painter
In his later years, Churchill found solace in painting, producing over 500 works of art under the pseudonym “Charles Morin”. Churchill’s passion for painting helped him with his depression, which he referred to as his “Black Dog”. David’s design shows a black dog sat alongside Churchill as he’s painting another masterpiece.
The Patriarch
Despite his demanding career, Churchill maintained a close relationship with his family. He was devoted to his wife, Clementine and his children. David’s design shows Churchill alongside four of his children. Churchill is also holding a Marigold – in a touching tribute to his daughter Marigold who died as a child.
The Winston Churchill BU £2 Set
Available exclusively from The Westminster Collection, you can place your reservation today for JUST £64.95 (+p&p). £2 coin sets are often highly sought-after with collectors and considering the importance of this release – perfectly honouring one of World War II’s most important figures on the 80th anniversary of D-Day – this has the makings of an all-time great.
Click here to secure the BRAND NEW Sir Winston Churchill BU £2 Set >>
The inspiration behind The Great British Pubs £2 Collection 🍻
“The pub sign says: you are still in England. Come in here and – however far from home you are, however, outlandish our name – you will find the comforts of your local town or village.”
Sebastian Faulks, ‘Icons of England’. Edited by Bill Bryson, 2010
Following the special release of The Great British Pubs Collection, we wanted to delve into the history behind the iconic pub signs featured on the coins themselves.
It turns out the concept of a pub sign has been around for over 1,000 years! Spawning from the Roman custom of hanging vines outside to let thirsty travellers know they would soon have refreshment – combined with the Roman’s arrival in England, and the lack of grape vines to drape across the pub entrance, an evergreen bush was used as an alternative. So, pubs named The Bush or The Holly Bush owe their name to this ancient custom. The very first sign that there was a pub nearby…
The pub sign as we know it today was actually a royal decree. In 1393 King Richard ordered, ‘That whoever shall brew ale in the town, with the purpose of selling it, shall hang out a sign otherwise he shall forfeit his ale.’ As a result, many ale houses began to display signs. But with many still being unable to read it was necessary to use painted pictures so the establishment could be clearly identified.
So, keep reading below to explore the origins of each pub featured on the brand new £2 coin collection.
The Red Lion
The Red Lion is probably one of the most common names for a pub. It originates from the time of James VI of Scotland and I of England, uniting the Scottish and English crowns in 1603.
To emphasise the newfound union between the crowns of Scotland and England, James decreed that the heraldic red lion of Scotland should be displayed on all buildings of importance – which included pubs.
The Ship Inn
As a maritime nation, there is a rich tradition of seafaring and trade that has resulted in many pubs having a name related to ships.
In some cases, the ships depicted on these signs were specific, such as Victory, Vice-Admiral Nelson’s flagship.
The Royal Oak
Another popular pub name is The Royal Oak. Originating after the Battle of Worcester in 1651, fought during the English Civil War.
Charles II’s Royalist Army was defeated during this battle by Cromwell’s Parliamentarians. Charles then had to flee for his life, seeking refuge in the form of a great oak tree near Boscobel House in Shropshire – with hopes that he would not be spotted by Cromwell’s men.
His plan succeeded and having evaded capture, Charles II went on to be restored to the throne. As a result of this dramatic tale of cunning escape, the tree became known as the Royal Oak and pubs across the country were named in tribute.
The White Hart
As mentioned at the beginning of this blog, it was the 1393 decree of Richard II that made pub signs compulsory. The White Hart was Richard’s personal badge and so many pubs chose to adopt the name at the time.
There’s even a Grade II listed sign for The White Hart in Bletchingley, Surrey – dating back to the 18th century. It is shown in the image below.
The Rose and Crown
Rooted in a key event of British history, The Rose and Crown celebrates the end of the War of the Roses 1455-1487. A series of civil wars for the throne of England between two competing royal families: the House of York and the House of Lancaster.
The result was the uniting of the red rose of Lancaster and the white rose of York when Henry Tudor married Elizabeth of York. Hence the literal phrasing of the rose and crown together, united.
Where you can get your set today
The Great British pub is at the heart of the community. As you’ve read, this has been the case for generations, so celebrate this integral part of Britain’s culture with The Great British Pubs £2 Coin Collection!
These coins are not just a tribute to the historic artwork above pub entrances, but also a celebration of the stories and memories created within their walls.
Click here to secure yours today >>>
