The 2003 £2 Pound Coin: DNA Double Helix

2003 Two Pounds DNA

DNA was actually discovered quite a long time ago

The 2003 two pounds coin commemorated the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the structure of DNA.

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.

 

2003 Two Pounds DNA
2003 Two Pounds DNA Reverse (Image: M J Hughes Coins)

2003 Two-Pound Coin

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’ separated 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.

Gold Two Pound DNA Coin

The Royal Mint also issued this coin in gold proof, interesting to collectors to see how a bimetallic coin could be reproduced in gold. The Royal Mint did this cleverly by making the outer disc out of ‘red’ gold, and the inner disc being ‘yellow’ gold.

2003 Gold Proof Two Pounds DNA Reverse
2003 Gold Proof Two Pounds DNA Reverse (Image: M J Hughes Coins)

 

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.

 

2003 Gold Proof Two Pounds DNA Obverse
2003 Gold Proof Two Pounds DNA Obverse (Image: M J Hughes Coins)

General Description: Two Pound Coins

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 have 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.

Specifications of standard £2 coin

  • 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)

Mintage of circulating coins was 4,299,000.



List items on:

£2 2003 DNA double helix 2 pound coin  Collectable
£2 2003 DNA double helix 2 pound coin Collectable
£ 500.00
RARE Misprinted 2003 Discovery Of DNA Double Helix £2 COIN Engraving Circulated
RARE Misprinted 2003 Discovery Of DNA Double Helix £2 COIN Engraving Circulated
£ 87.00
RARE dna double helix 2 pound coin 1953 -2003 EARLY ISSUE
RARE dna double helix 2 pound coin 1953 -2003 EARLY ISSUE
£ 1,300.00
Rare Two £2 Pound Coin UK Coins Olympics Commonwealth NI Navy Bible Mary Rose
Rare Two £2 Pound Coin UK Coins Olympics Commonwealth NI Navy Bible Mary Rose
£ 6.99
Royal Mint 2003 DNA Discoveries £2 Coin Numismatic Cover
Royal Mint 2003 DNA Discoveries £2 Coin Numismatic Cover
£ 6.99
2003 DNA Double Helix £2 Coin - From Circulation
2003 DNA Double Helix £2 Coin - From Circulation
£ 5.00
DNA double helix 2 pound coin 2003 £2
DNA double helix 2 pound coin 2003 £2
£ 10.00
Rare DNA Double Helix £2 Coin 2003
Rare DNA Double Helix £2 Coin 2003
£ 600.00

List items on: