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15 February 1971 |
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25.9mm
Weight 7.12grms
Thickness 1.85mm - bronze
2.03mm - copper-plated steel
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Bronze 97% copper, 2.5% zinc, 0.5% tin (until September 1992)
Copper-plated steel (since September 1992 except in
1998 when the 2p was made in both alloys)
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Portrait of Her Majesty the Queen
1971-1984 Arnold Machin
1985-1997 Raphael Maklouf
1998 to date Ian Rank-Broadley
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Three feathers being the Badge of the Prince of Wales
Christopher Ironside
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Plain |
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The United Kingdom 2p coin was introduced on the 15 February 1971 with the introduction of a new decimal currency system. The other two coins issued at this time were the 1/2p and 1p coins.
To avoid confusion between the old and new coinage all three coins had the word 'NEW' incorporated into the reverse design. This was subsequently removed in 1982.
The first copper-plated steel 2p coins were struck in 1992. The reason for this change was the increase in the price of metals on the world markets. The coins have a mild steel core and are electroplated with copper - consequently they are magnetic.
Latest figures show that at 31 December 2005 there is an estimated 6,421 million 2p coins in circulation.
The 2p coin is legal tender for amounts up to 20p.
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| Crown Copyright Royal Mint |
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