Two Pounds 2002 Commonwealth Games - England, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

The obverse of the coins shows the crowned mature head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (her effigy known as the "Fourth Portrait"). The Queen wears the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" diamond tiara, a wedding gift from Queen Mary (Her Majesty's grandmother) in 1947 - which she also has on the Machin and the Gottwald portraits.

In small letters below the head, the artist's initials IRB (for Ian Rank-Broadley).

Around the effigy is the monarch's legend: ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA · REG · FID · DEF ·. Translated ffrom Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith.

Matthew Bonaccorsi’s reverse design represents celebration, victory and sportsmanship. It depicts the moving figure of an athlete holding aloft a banner, the top of which is divided into lines symbolising the lanes of a swimming pool. A small circular cartouche behind the athlete contains a flag with a cross - representing England. To the right of the figure, the value and denomination £2

Around right, an inscription reading XVII COMMONWEALTH GAMES.

The artist's initials MB (for Matthew Bonaccorsi)are in ligature in the left (on the outer ring of the coin), above a fold in the flag.

Note that the Northern Ireland coin looks very similar to this one, but the flag in the middle has a crowned hand inside a six-pointed star in its centre.

Mintage figure comprised of:
650,500 coins released into circulation
47,895 brilliant uncirculated coins in mint sets
4,299 proofs
Off-metal strikes not included.