Two Pounds 2019 Wedgwood, 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; the outer ring of the coins is made of Nickel-Brass (76% copper, 4% nickel, 20% zinc) and the inner circle is CuproNickel (75% copper, 25% nickel).

The Royal Mint maintains a "definitive" style of the £2 issued annually, as well as a large variety of one-year circulating commemorative types.

In 2017, the mint also started issuing some Non-Circulating Legal Tender (NCLT) £2 coins for collectors. These are included in the annual mint sets or are issued separately, but are not released into general circulation. Their themes celebrate important anniversaries or people, as well as iconic aspects of British culture and history.

This £2 coin marks the 260 years anniversary of Wedgwood - a fine china, porcelain, and luxury accessories manufacturer founded on 1 May 1759 by the English potter and entrepreneur Josiah Wedgwood. It was rapidly successful and was soon one of the largest manufacturers of Staffordshire pottery, "a firm that has done more to spread the knowledge and enhance the reputation of British ceramic art than any other manufacturer", exporting across Europe as far as Russia, and to the Americas. It was especially successful at producing fine earthenware and stonewares that were accepted as equivalent in quality to porcelain (which Wedgwood only made later) but were considerably cheaper.

The Royal Mint says:
"Few companies can point to as prestigious a heritage as Wedgwood. 260 years after its founding by the pioneering Josiah Wedgwood, the company that transformed the production and marketing of pottery is still known around the world for its craftsmanship and quality. The Wedgwood 260th Anniversary Coin is a fitting commemoration of the company’s history and success. With a design that encompasses the heritage, craftsmanship and royal connection that both Wedgwood and The Royal Mint are famous for, the coin honours the triumphs of the past 260 years."

The edge lettering, EVERYTHING GIVES WAY TO EXPERIMENT, is based on Josiah Wedgwood’s motto.

These £2 coins were struck in various collector formats but none were issued into general circulation.