The 2003 Gold 2 Pound Coin - DNA Double HelixThe 2003 two pounds piece commemorates the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the structure of DNA. Only 1,500 gold proof 'DNA' two pounds pieces were issued by the Royal Mint in 2003.
Despite it being a modern buzz-word, DNA was actually discovered quite a long time ago. DNA was first isolated by Friedrich Miescher in 1869 but the molecular structure was identified by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953 using data acquired by X-Ray Physicist Raymond Gosling. DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) is a molecule that has genetic information for the growth, development, functioning and viruses of all known living organisms.
Designed by John Mills, the reverse depicts the spiralling double helix structure of DNA with the inscription 'DNA DOUBLE HELIX', and dates '1953' and '2003' seperated by the denomination 'TWO POUNDS'. The edge inscription reads 'DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID'.
Queen Elizabeth II's fourth portrait can be seen on the obverse, designed by Ian Rank-Broadley.
The two pounds piece is made of solid 22 carat gold (Gold Fineness of 0.916), and weighs 15.98 grams. It has a diameter of 28.40mm.
The outer disc is made of 'red' gold, with the inner disc being 'yellow' gold.
The coin was originally housed in a Royal Mint acrylic screw top capsule and presented in a Royal Mint green leatherette case, accompanied with an individually numbered certificate of authenticity (COA).
Image credit: M J Hughes Coins.
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Mintage: 1,500 (may include coins in sets)
Minted at The Royal Mint.
Remember 2003 ?
Elizabeth II was in her 51st year as Queen. George W Bush is U.S. President. Iraq war begins. China has its first astronaut in space as Rover Spirit and Opportunity head for Mars. The London congestion charge introduced. Twenty20 cricket matches are played between counties. J K Rowling's Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix published. Concorde makes its last commercial flight. England are rugby world champions. M6 Toll opens.
Elizabeth II (1952-2022)
Queen Elizabeth II was the longest reigning British Monarch ever, reigning for over 70 years. 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. She died on 8 September 2022. Some coins were released dated 2023.Queen Elizabeth II issued many coins and was monarch during decimalisation. She married Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in 1947 and had four children. Her eldest son succeeded the throne as King Charles III. House of Windsor.
Category: Gold 2 Pound Coins
The first gold two pound (£2) coins appeared in 1820 for George III but they were only made occasionally (intended for circulation) until 1980 when the Royal Mint started minting them yearly. There are both proof and uncirculated types in previous years but the modern trend seems to be a proof as part of a set. 
Gold £2 Coins are also know as Double Sovereigns, but as with gold five pound coins there are two variations. One is the double sovereign itself - it looks like a larger version of the sovereign of the same year and is likely to have George and the Dragon on the back. The other type is a commemorative style which tends to copy the circulation two pound design. To avoid categorisation some dealers refer to both types collectively as two pound pieces.For size comparison, the image on the right shows a modern sovereign set containing the half-sovereign, sovereign, double sovereign and £5 coin.
The specification for two pound coins
Weight is 15.98g, which is twice the weight of a standard gold sovereign. The diameter is 28.4mm and about 2mm thick. It is made from 22 Carat gold (0.916 or 91.6% gold).
Which Mint: The Royal Mint
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.
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
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.
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| UK £2 (3 Coins) 2003 DNA, 2007 Abolition of Slavery, 2016 Shakespeares Tragedies £ 39.84 |
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