Two Pounds 2009 Robert Burns, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

The bi-metallic £2 coin is the largest circulating coin denomination of the Pound Sterling. It was introduced in 1998 (earlier two pound coins were made of Nickel brass, were intended as commemorative, and did not circulate much). Being bi-metallic means that the coin comprises two separate components of differing alloys - a Nickel-Brass outer ring with inner circle of CuproNickel.

The Royal Mint maintains a "definitive" style of the £2 issued annually, as well as a large variety of one-year circulating commemorative types and some Non-Circulating Legal Tender (NCLT) £2 coins for collectors. Between 1997 and 2015, the definitive type was the Technology type £2, which was then changed to the Britannia type £2.

The one-year type coins celebrate important anniversaries or people, as well as iconic aspects of British culture and history.

This circulating commemorative £2 coin marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns.

Robert Burns (1759 - 1796), also known as the National Bard, was a Scottish poet and lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide. He is the best known of the poets who have written in the Scots language, although much of his writing is also in English and a light Scots dialect, accessible to an audience beyond Scotland. He also wrote in standard English, and in these writings his political or civil commentary is often at its bluntest.

He is regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic movement, and after his death he became a great source of inspiration to the founders of both liberalism and socialism, and a cultural icon in Scotland and among the Scottish diaspora around the world. Celebration of his life and work became almost a national charismatic cult during the 19th and 20th centuries, and his influence has long been strong on Scottish literature. His poem (and song) "Auld Lang Syne" is often sung at Hogmanay (the last day of the year) / New Year celebrations across the English-speaking world. It was written in Burns’ native Scottish dialect and the inscription on the coin, reading 'We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet for auld lang syne' is its best known part. Around the edge of the coin are the words 'SHOULD AULD ACQUAINTANCE BE FORGOT', another famous part of the poem.

£2 coins issued in 2009 have now been in circulation for 14 years.