Two Pounds 2014 WW1 - Outbreak, 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 100th Anniversary of the Outbreak of the First World War.

This is the first coin in a five-year series, on a journey from "outbreak to armistice". The coin remembers one of the most significant moments in British history with a design that recalls the spirit, and with hindsight, the poignancy, of the rush to enlist encouraged by Lord Kitchener.

In 1914 Lord Kitchener was appointed to mastermind a recruitment campaign that would go on to create one of the largest volunteer armies ever known in Britain. Though many posters encouraged the men of Britain to enlist, the image of Kitchener himself came to stand for the call to fight for "King and Country" that saw men respond in their thousands. It is to this instantly recognisable image that experienced coinage artist John Bergdahl turned to create his stirring design.

£2 coins issued in 2014 have now been in circulation for 11 years.