Millions of people use £2 coins every day without giving them a second thought. But what if one of those coins could be worth up to £1,000? Due to minting errors, some rare £2 coins have become highly sought after by collectors. If you have one of these coins, you could be holding a small fortune in your hands.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the rarest £2 error coins, how to identify them, and what they might be worth in the collectors’ market.
1. The Lord Kitchener £2 Coin – Missing ‘TWO POUNDS’ Inscription
One of the most famous £2 error coins is the 2014 Lord Kitchener £2 coin, minted to commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War I.
- Error: Some of these coins were released without the words “TWO POUNDS” inscribed on the reverse side beneath Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait.
- Rarity: While millions of these coins were minted, only a small number have this rare error.
- Estimated Value: Some of these coins have been sold for over £1,000 at auctions.
How to Spot It: Check the obverse (heads) side of the coin. If the words “TWO POUNDS” are missing, you might have a valuable collector’s item.
More Info: Royal Mint Official Website
2. The Shakespeare Tragedies £2 Coin – Incorrect Edge Inscription
In 2016, the Royal Mint released a series of £2 coins to commemorate the works of William Shakespeare. One of them, the Shakespeare Tragedies £2 coin, features a skull and rose design. However, some of these coins were minted with the wrong edge inscription.
- Error: The edge of the coin should read “WHAT A PIECE OF WORK IS A MAN”, but some mistakenly have the inscription “FOR KING AND COUNTRY”, which was intended for the First World War Army £2 coin.
- Rarity: Only a few of these error coins exist.
- Estimated Value: Depending on condition, these coins can sell for £30-£100, but prices may rise as more collectors seek them.
More Info: British Numismatic Society
3. The ‘Fried Egg’ £2 Coin – A Minting Defect Worth Hundreds
The ‘Fried Egg’ £2 coin is a nickname for a minting defect where the gold-colored inner circle of the coin expands or spills into the silver-colored outer ring.
- Error: The gold inner circle appears distorted or “leaking” into the silver ring.
- Rarity: Since this is a minting defect rather than a design error, its occurrence is random and unpredictable.
- Estimated Value: Some collectors have paid up to £600 for well-defined examples of this error.
How to Spot It: Look for a blurred or misshapen border between the gold and silver parts of your £2 coin.
More Info: The Royal Mint Museum
4. The 2015 Britannia £2 Coin – Mule Error
The 2015 Britannia £2 coin replaced the previous “Technology” design as the new standard circulating £2 coin. However, some were mistakenly struck using the old design dies.
- Error: These coins feature the Britannia reverse but the old ‘Technology’ obverse design.
- Rarity: A genuine “mule” (a coin with mismatched sides) is extremely rare.
- Estimated Value: Some of these error coins have sold for £500-£700.
More Info: Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC)
How to Check If You Have a Valuable £2 Coin
1. Inspect the Inscription
The edge of every £2 coin has an inscription. Make sure it matches the expected phrase for the specific coin you are checking.
2. Look for Missing or Incorrect Features
If the design lacks expected wording, symbols, or has a mismatched side, you might have an error coin.
3. Check the Condition
Coins in better condition (with less wear and tear) tend to be more valuable. Uncirculated coins will always fetch a higher price.
4. Get Your Coin Authenticated
If you believe you have found a rare error coin, consider sending it to a professional grading service such as:
Conclusion
A simple £2 coin might be worth much more than its face value due to rare minting errors. Whether it’s the Lord Kitchener missing “TWO POUNDS” inscription, the Shakespeare incorrect edge lettering, or the ‘Fried Egg’ defect, collectors are willing to pay hundreds or even thousands of pounds for these rare finds.
So next time you get change, take a moment to inspect your £2 coins—you could be holding a hidden fortune in your hands!
This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.
A senior at Yale-NUS College with interests in developmental and labour economics, as well as creative non-fiction and poetry. Currently, I’m studying as an Economics major and an Arts and Humanities minor (focusing on Creative Writing) with heavy involvement in the Singaporean journalism scene and involved in research on economic history and educational policy. I’m working as an author for SKC News, Yale-NUS’ student publication, as a writer for Wingspan, Yale-NUS’ alumni magazine, and as a tutor for the NUS Libraries Writer’s Centre. | Linkedin