1999 Two Pound Coin – Rugby World Cup

Queen Elizabeth II is the current and longest reigning monarch ever. Born on 21 April 1926 to King George VI and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, she became Queen in 1952 and her Coronation was on 2 June 1953.

Queen Elizabeth II has issued many coins and was monarch during decimalisation.
The current Two Pound (£2) coin that is found in circulation is a bimetallic coin introduced on 15th June 1998 (although the first are dated 1997). There are almost 500 million £2 coins of various designs in current circulation.

There has been other two pound coins. From 1823 until 1996 they made occasional appearances and the double-sovereign has a two pound value. Commemorative two pound coins were issued from 1986 to 1996. This article is primarily concerned with the circulating coins of 1997 onwards.

specifications:

• Weight: 12 g
• Diameter: 28.4 mm
• Thickness: 2.5 mm
• Edge: Milled, with incuse lettering
• Design style: Circular, bi-metallic
• Composition Outer ring: Nickel-brass (76% Cu, 20% Zn and 4% Ni)
• Composition Centre: Cupro-nickel (75% Cu , 25% Ni)

The two pound coin has also been minted in gold.The Royal Mint is the designated place for the UK to mint coins. It dates back well over 1000 years and is a Government-owned company. 

Formed in the reign of Alfred the Great about the year 886, during the period 1279-1812 it was generally referred to as The Tower Mint as it was housed at the Tower of London. The Master of The Royal Mint has included famous figures such as Sir Isaac Newton.

Since 2010 it has operated as Royal Mint Ltd, a company owned by HM Treasury, under an exclusive contract to supply all coinage for the UK although it also produces medals and coins for other countries. It is currently located at Llantrisant, Wales.

There is also an on-line shop at The Royal Mint Shop.
The United Kingdom (UK) is the Union of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is often refered to as Great Britain (GBR). It has a long, rich history.

The orignal coinage was Pounds, Shillings and Pence but since decimalisation on 15 February 1971, it is £1 = 100p, that is One Pound = 100 pence. The coinage of the UK is also a long history, the Royal Mint being established as long ago as 886AD when coins were hammered. Today there is perhaps 30 billion coins in circulation, and many (numismatic) collectors coins and sets are issued frequently in gold, silver and other metals.