Two Pounds 2013 Anniversary of the Guinea, 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 350th anniversary of the first striking of the guinea coin.

Over 200 years have passed since the guinea was last struck but the romance of the coin endures. Steeped in mystique, from its fabled one pound and one shilling value to its association with gentleman, gentility and good taste, the guinea was the principal gold coin of Britain for centuries. In 2013, for the first time ever, the Royal Mint celebrated one coin with another: the 2013 Anniversary of the Golden Guinea £2 coin. The coin was issued into regular circulation and was also included in the mint sets of the year.

Sculptor Anthony Smith has recreated one of the most famous guinea designs: a shield with the arms of King George III, known as the Spade Guinea. It was nicknamed for the shape of its shield that resembled the humble garden tool. The Spade Guinea became hugely popular, rumoured to be sought after by the country gentry and reproduced extensively as brass tokens many years later. The edge of the coin is finished with a tribute from contemporary writer Stephen Kemble, "WHAT IS A GUINEA? ‘TIS A SPLENDID THING".

£2 coins issued in 2013 have now been in circulation for ten years.