Two Pence, Coin Type from United Kingdom

Two Pence, Coin Type from United Kingdom (issued 1971 - )

Coin Type	Two Pence

The British decimal two pence (2p) coin - often pronounced two pee - is a unit of currency equalling two one-hundredths of a pound sterling. Its obverse has featured the profile of Queen Elizabeth II since the coin’s introduction in 1971, the year British currency was decimalised. Four different portraits of the Queen have been used on the coin, with the latest design by Jody Clark being introduced in 2015. The second and current reverse, featuring a segment of the Royal Shield, was introduced in 2008.

One penny and two pence coins are legal tender only up to the sum of 20p; this means that it is permissible to refuse payment of sums greater than this amount in 1p and 2p coins in order to settle a debt.

The two pence coin was originally minted from bronze, but since 1992 it has been minted in copper-plated steel due to the increasing price of metal. By May 2006 the pre-1992 (97% copper) coins contained 3p worth of copper each. During 2008, the value of copper fell dramatically from these peaks.

Obverse
Effigy of the ruling British monarch, legend (in Latin), date.

Obverse Inscription	Legend of the ruling British monarch, date

Reverse

There have been two reverse designs of the two pence coin.

The original design by Christopher Ironside featured, within a beaded circle, the Badge of the Prince of Wales: a plume of three ostrich feathers within a coronet, above the incuse German motto ICH DIEN ("I serve"). The numeral value 2 is written below the badge, and either the denomination is given above either as NEW PENCE (1971–1981) or TWO PENCE (1982 and later); a small number of 1983 NEW PENCE coins exist.

This was superseded in 2008 by a new design by Matthew Dent. In a world-first concept, the designs for the 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p and 50p coins depict sections of the Royal Shield that form the whole shield when placed together. The shield in its entirety is featured on the £1 coin.

The two pence coin depicts the second quarter of the Royal Shield, showing the Lion Rampant from the Royal Banner of Scotland, with the value and denomination TWO PENCE around above. Unlike the earlier reverse, there is no beading (ring of dots) around the coin's circumference.

Reverse Inscription	2 NEW PENCE (1971 - 1981), 2 TWO PENCE (1982 - 2008), TWO PENCE (2008 - present)

Edge	Plain	Edge Inscription	None

Coin Type: Two Pence - (56) Coins

Coin Name	Reverse	Obverse	In my collection(s)
Please sign up and/or log in to use collection management functionality.

Advertising

Buy Silver and Gold Bullion Online

Two Pence: Details

Country	United Kingdom
Currency	Pound Sterling
Sub-types	Two Pence (Ironside design, Bronze) Two Pence (Ironside design, Steel) Two Pence (Dent design) Two Pence (Squirrel)
From	1971
Face Value	2 (x Penny)
Current	Yes
Material
Designer
Technology	Milled (machine-made)
Shape	Round
Orientation	Medal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size
Mass

Advertising

Buy gold and silver bullion online!

Two Pence: Photos

Image	Details
	Coin, Great Britain, Elizabeth II, 2 Pence, 1986 Copyright: NumisCorner.com Notes: Christopher Ironside reverse (1971 - 2008). Source
	Coin, Great Britain, 2 Pence, 2010 Copyright: NumisCorner.com Notes: Matthew Dent reverse (2008 - present). Source
	Coin, Great Britain, Elizabeth II, 2 Pence, 1984 Copyright: NumisCorner.com Notes: Queen Elizabeth II, Second Portrait (1971 - 1984). Source
	Coin, Great Britain, Elizabeth II, 2 Pence, 1986 Copyright: NumisCorner.com Notes: Queen Elizabeth II, Third Portrait (1985 - 1997). Source
	Coin, Great Britain, 2 Pence, 2002 Copyright: NumisCorner.com Notes: Queen Elizabeth II, Fourth Portrait (1998 - 2015). Source

Relevant Links

The Royal Mint Museum: Two pence coin

Two Pence, Coin Type from United Kingdom - detailed information