The Royal Mint launches new collectable £2 coin to celebrate 25 years in circulation - how to buy

The Royal Mint has launched a special collectable £2 coin to celebrate 25 years of the current bi-metallic £2 coin. Since it was first struck for circulation 25 years ago, the bi-metallic £2 is the largest circulating coin denomination in the United Kingdom and has become a favourite among collectors in the UK.

More than 50 unique designs have appeared on the £2, commemorating significant scientific, technological, sporting, and literary achievements and key moments in British history. Designer Bruce Rushin, who designed the original £2 coin back in 1997 visited The Royal Mint to share his memories of the original design and to hear about the latest technological advancements involved in producing the commemorative coin.

The artist said: “It was an astonishing feeling when my design was selected to appear on the first ever UK £2 coin. Twenty-five years later, it is an honour to have my design feature once again on the collectable £2 coin celebrating its anniversary.

“Visiting The Royal Mint to see the coins being struck has been fascinating. Being able to see the level of skill and craftsmanship that goes into making a collectable coin these days was very special. When compared to how the £2 coin was first produced, it shows just how much the technology has developed and was a real eye-opener for me.”

Inspired by the history of technological achievement, Bruce Rushin’s 1997 design features four concentric circles, depicting industrial and technological progress from the Iron Age to the Internet. The ‘Technology’ design features on circulating £2 coins dated 1997 to 2015 and has been released on the new commemorative edition and enhanced with special features in a nod to the anniversary.