2020 Two Pound Year of the Rat 1oz Silver Proof – Elizabeth II

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.
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's Shengxiào Collection, named after the Chinese zodiac, was introduced by the Royal Mint in 2014. Each year a Lunar animal of the Chinese zodiac representing that year is shown.

• 2014 Lunar Year of the Horse
• 2015 Lunar Year of the Sheep
• 2016 Lunar Year of the Monkey
• 2017 Lunar Year of the Rooster
• 2018 Lunar Year of the Dog
• 2019 Lunar Year of the Pig
• 2020 Lunar Year of the Rat
• 2021 Lunar Year of the Ox
• 2022 Lunar Year of the Tiger
• 2023 Lunar Year of the Rabbit
• 2024 Lunar Year of the Dragon
• 2025 Lunar Year of the Snake

and then repeats on the 12-year cycle. The Chinese New Year starts on the New Moon, so may occur between January 21st to February 20th.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.
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.