The jingling of loose change in your pocket might contain more value than you realize. Since its introduction in 1998, the bi-metallic £2 coin has become a canvas for commemorating significant British historical events, figures, and achievements.
While most £2 coins are worth exactly their face value, certain rare variants have captured the imagination of collectors and can fetch surprising sums.
Let’s explore ten of the most sought-after £2 coins that might be hiding in your spare change, piggy bank, or down the back of your sofa.
The Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland £2 (2002): The Ultimate Modern Rarity
No discussion of valuable £2 coins can begin anywhere but with the legendary 2002 Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland variant. With a mintage of just 485,500, it stands as the holy grail for serious collectors of modern British coinage.
“The Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games £2 is the undisputed king of circulation £2 coins,” explains James Wilson, a numismatist with over two decades of experience.
“Its relative scarcity stems from the decision to produce four different reverse designs for each UK nation participating in the Games, with Northern Ireland receiving the smallest mintage by far.”
What makes this coin particularly interesting is that it looks almost identical to the England, Scotland, and Wales versions at first glance.
The difference lies in the small flag design that appears above the athlete. This subtlety means many examples may have passed through hands unnoticed, creating the tantalizing possibility of discovering one in everyday change.
In circulated condition, this elusive coin regularly commands £30-50, while pristine uncirculated specimens can sell for £75-100. Particularly well-preserved examples with full lustre have occasionally reached £150-200 at specialist auctions.
The 2017 Jane Austen £2: Literary Legacy in Metal
Commemorating the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death, the 2017 £2 coin features a silhouette of the beloved author alongside her signature.
While not particularly scarce with a mintage of 5 million, a small number of these coins were released with a significant minting error that has sent their value soaring.
“The error involves the edge inscription,” notes literary memorabilia specialist Emma Thompson. “Standard coins bear the quote ‘The truth is rarely pure and never simple’ from Oscar Wilde. However, a small batch slipped through quality control with no edge inscription whatsoever.”
These “missing edge” Jane Austen coins have sold for £500-700, with one pristine example reaching £1,500 at auction in 2022.
Even regular versions in uncirculated condition fetch £8-12, reflecting enduring public fascination with one of Britain’s most celebrated authors.
The 2015 Britannia £2: A Modern Design Classic
In 2015, the Royal Mint updated the iconic Britannia design on the £2 coin. What most people don’t realize is that these coins had a relatively small mintage of just 650,000 – making them considerably scarcer than many commemorative issues.
“The 2015 Britannia flies under the radar because it wasn’t tied to a specific event or anniversary,” explains Victoria Palmer, coin collector and blogger.
“It simply represented the Royal Mint’s decision to bring Britannia back to circulating coinage after her removal from the 50p in 2008. This rather technical reason for its creation means many collectors overlooked its significance initially.”
This oversight has created an opportunity for savvy collectors. As awareness of its relative scarcity grows, values have steadily climbed.
Currently, circulated examples sell for £12-18, while uncirculated coins can reach £25-40. Given the iconic status of Britannia in British numismatic history, this coin shows strong potential for future appreciation.
The 2011 Mary Rose & King James Bible £2 Coins: Historical Heavyweights
The year 2011 saw the release of two commemorative £2 coins with surprisingly low mintages. The Mary Rose coin, celebrating the 500th anniversary of the famous warship’s maiden voyage, had a mintage of 1.04 million.
The King James Bible coin, marking four centuries since the publication of this influential text, was slightly more common with 1.56 million produced.
“What’s fascinating about these two 2011 issues is how they’ve maintained strong value despite not having any notable errors or varieties,” observes historical coin specialist Robert Jenkins. “Their appeal lies purely in their historical significance and relative scarcity.”
Both coins now regularly sell for £8-12 in circulated condition, with uncirculated examples commanding £15-25. Complete with original packaging, these coins can reach £30-40 when sold to dedicated collectors.
The 2012 Charles Dickens £2: Error Makes Perfect
Commemorating 200 years since the birth of one of Britain’s literary giants, the 2012 Charles Dickens £2 coin features a profile of the author created from the titles of his famous works. With a substantial mintage of 8.19 million, standard versions remain relatively common.
However, a small number of these coins contain a fascinating minting error. Coin specialist Thomas Gardner explains: “Some Dickens £2 coins were struck with a rotational alignment error.
On standard £2 coins, the obverse and reverse should be perfectly aligned when you rotate the coin on its horizontal axis. With these error coins, the alignment is off by around 150 degrees.”
These misaligned Dickens coins have sold for £150-200 in recent years, with the finest examples occasionally reaching £250.
Even standard versions in uncirculated condition can fetch £5-8, making them worth setting aside when found in change.
The 2015 First World War Navy £2: Unexpected Scarcity
Part of a five-year series commemorating the First World War, the 2015 Royal Navy £2 coin honors the Senior Service’s role in the conflict.
What makes this coin particularly collectible is its surprisingly low mintage figure of 650,000 – identical to the 2015 Britannia and considerably lower than most would expect for a war commemorative coin.
“The First World War series wasn’t particularly heavily promoted compared to some other commemorative programs,” notes military numismatist Michael Harrison.
“Combined with the fact that many people set aside the first coin in a series but lose interest in subsequent releases, this created a perfect storm of circumstances leading to its relative scarcity today.”
Currently, circulated examples sell for £10-15, while uncirculated specimens can fetch £20-30. As we move further from the centenary period of the First World War, interest in these commemorative pieces is likely to increase rather than diminish.
The 2002 Commonwealth Games England £2: Overlooked Treasure
While the Northern Ireland variant gets most of the attention, the England version of the 2002 Commonwealth Games £2 deserves recognition in its own right.
With a mintage of 650,500, it’s the second rarest of the four nations’ coins and substantially scarcer than most commemorative £2 issues.
“Collectors often focus exclusively on the Northern Ireland coin, creating something of a blind spot regarding the England variant,” explains sports memorabilia specialist James Chen.
“This presents an opportunity for knowledgeable collectors, as the England coin offers excellent value given its genuine scarcity.”
In circulated condition, these coins typically sell for £12-20, with uncirculated examples fetching £30-50. Complete sets of all four nations’ coins are particularly desirable and can command premiums of 20-30% over the sum of their individual values.
The 2017 First World War Aviation £2: Flying Under the Radar
Continuing the First World War commemorative series, the 2017 Aviation £2 coin honors the Royal Flying Corps and the birth of modern air warfare.
With a mintage of 1.4 million, it’s not the scarcest £2 coin, but certain factors have contributed to its growing desirability.
“The design of this coin is particularly striking,” notes aviation historian Sarah Miller. “The biplane depicted seems to be flying off the edge of the coin, creating a dynamic sense of movement that collectors appreciate.
Combined with growing interest in aviation history, this has driven demand beyond what the mintage figures might suggest.”
These coins typically sell for £5-8 in circulated condition, while uncirculated examples can reach £12-18. As with other coins in the First World War series, values are likely to appreciate as the centenary period recedes into history.
The 2018 RAF Centenary £2: Errors Take Flight
Celebrating 100 years of the Royal Air Force, the 2018 RAF Centenary £2 features a striking design incorporating Spitfire planes and the RAF’s famous target roundel. With a mintage of 5.25 million, standard versions remain relatively common.
However, a small number of these coins contain a valuable minting error, as coin expert Thomas Gardner explains: “Some examples were struck on incorrect blank coins that didn’t contain the inner nickel-brass section. These ‘all-silver’ errors are immediately obvious and highly sought after by error collectors.”
These error coins have sold for £100-150, with particularly well-preserved examples occasionally reaching £200. Standard versions in uncirculated condition typically fetch £4-6, making them a modest but worthwhile find in circulation.
The 2019 Sherlock Holmes £2: The Case of the Valuable Detective
Marking 160 years since the birth of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the 2019 Sherlock Holmes £2 coin features a silhouette of the famous detective alongside quotations from his adventures. With a mintage of 8.6 million, they’re not particularly rare, but certain factors have contributed to their collectibility.
“The Sherlock Holmes £2 benefits from the global popularity of the character,” explains literary memorabilia specialist Victoria Edwards.
“International collectors, particularly from Japan and the United States where Holmes has a massive following, have created demand beyond typical British commemorative coins.”
This broader appeal means circulated examples regularly sell for £4-5, around double their face value, while uncirculated coins can reach £8-12. Complete with original Royal Mint packaging, they can fetch £15-20.
Tips for Collectors: Finding Your Own Valuable £2 Coins
For those inspired to search for these valuable coins, consider these expert tips:
1. Check the Edge Inscriptions
Many errors and varieties appear on the edge of £2 coins. Use a magnifying glass to examine edge inscriptions for mistakes, missing text, or upside-down lettering.
2. Examine Both Sides Carefully
Some errors involve the relationship between obverse and reverse designs. Check for rotational misalignments by turning the coin over horizontally – the designs should appear right-side up on both sides.
3. Look Beyond Circulation
Coin dealers, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and car boot sales can all yield discoveries, sometimes at face value from sellers unaware of their significance.
4. Consider Condition
Even common commemorative £2 coins can be worth preserving in uncirculated condition. Avoid cleaning coins, as this can substantially reduce their value.
5. Stay Informed – Royal Mint 10 rare £2 coins
Mintage figures are published by the Royal Mint and can help identify potentially valuable issues before they become widely known to collectors.
“The beauty of £2 coin collecting is its accessibility,” notes numismatist Eleanor Richardson. “Unlike traditional coin collecting that might require significant investment, anyone can participate simply by checking their change.
That democratic aspect, combined with the genuine possibility of finding something valuable, makes it particularly appealing.”
Whether you’re a serious numismatist or simply curious about the coins passing through your hands, taking a moment to examine your £2 coins could prove surprisingly rewarding. That unremarkable piece of change might just be a small fortune hiding in plain sight.