Flexible, Agile, Revolutionary - the Next Generation Lightning II 

Through the ages The Royal Mint has been proud to honour the men and women of the Armed Forces, and as the Royal Air Force reaches its centenary, we continue this tradition by striking an exciting series of coins for the milestone. Each £2 coin in the series celebrates the RAF’s pioneering spirit and innovation in aviation.

This is the last coin in the series and it features the Lightning II – appearing on a United Kingdom coin for the first time. Entering service in 2018, the multirole Lightning II will join forces with the jet plane Typhoon to revolutionise the RAF’s fighting capability. This aircraft represents the future of the RAF making it the perfect choice for the last coin in this collection.

For the reverse design of the coin, brothers Richard and Neil Talbot highlight the extraordinary design of the aircraft by placing it against a receding sky. A Proof finish enhances each detail, such as the strong silhouette of the jet and the inscription marking the date of the occasion. This edition of the £2 coin has been struck in sterling silver and is presented with an accompanying booklet, including specially sourced imagery and information on the remarkable plane.