One of the best loved Bible translations, the King James Version was first published in 1611. Instrumental in making English a universal language, it celebrates its 400th anniversary this year and the Royal Mint has struck a splendid commemorative £2 coin.
The imaginative reverse design features the opening words of the Gospel according to John - In the beginning was the Word - rendered in the black letter typeface used in the first edition.
The piedfort coin has been struck on double-thickness blanks and is all the more desirable for that. Struck to glorious Proof quality and subject to stringent mintage limits, each coin is issued in a protective transparent capsule and housed in an attractive display case with a signed Certificate of Authenticity guaranteeing its provenance.
Its 400th anniversary is good reason to cherish and celebrate the King James Version and the Royal Mint is proud to strike this commemorative £2 coin. The special reverse design features the first words of the book of John, described by the designers as: ‘typeset in a replica of the black letter typeface used in the first edition, the reversed, raised text of the printing block on the left and the recessed text of the printed word on the right, takes the form of the aptly chosen quote, ‘In the beginning was the Word’ (John 1:1).’
The obverse bears the Queen’s portrait by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS while the words: THE AUTHORISED VERSION provides a pleasing and appropriate edge inscription.
*Please note: this coin is subject to a Maximum Coin Mintage of 3,500