2 Pence – 1999, Classic Two Pence Coin
The United Kingdom 2p coin was introduced on the 15 February 1971 with the introduction of a new decimal currency system. The other two coins issued at this time were the 1/2p and 1p coins.
To avoid confusion between the old and new coinage all three coins had the word ‘NEW’ incorporated into the reverse design. This was subsequently removed in 1982.
The first copper-plated steel 2p coins were struck in 1992. The reason for this change was the increase in the price of metals on the world markets. The coins have a mild steel core and are electroplated with copper – consequently they are magnetic.
The 2p coin is legal tender for amounts up to 20p.
|First Issued||15 February 1971|
|Obverse Designers||Portrait of Her Majesty the Queen
1971-1984 Arnold Machin
1985-1997 – Raphael Maklouf
1998-2015 – Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS
2015 to date – Jody Clark
|1971-2008 – Christopher Ironside
2008 – Matthew Dent