Missing edge inscription Coin Errors
What is a missing edge inscription error?
On UK coins with edge inscriptions (notably £2 commemoratives) or edge milling (50p, 20p, 10p), the edge is applied either before or during striking. Missing edge errors occur when the edge collar fails to apply the inscription/milling. £2 coins with missing or partial edge text are a well-documented and collectable error.
How to spot one
- Inspect the edge closely — should show the standard inscription or milling for that denomination/year.
- £2 inscription should match the year's commemorative legend (e.g. "STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS" 1997-2015).
- Smooth, blank or partial edges indicate an error. Compare against a known-good example.
- Watch for upside-down (inverted) inscriptions — same value bracket as missing inscriptions.
Authentication
Easy to verify by physical inspection. Genuine missing-edge errors have clean, untooled edges. Counterfeits include filed-down genuine coins.
Famous UK examples
Documented for many years from 1997 onwards. See dedicated guide. Read the full guide →
Inscription applied upside-down relative to the obverse — collectable.
Key-date UK coins worth examining
Errors on key-date coins compound rarity — the host coin is already scarce, and the error multiplies the value. Browse the rarest UK coins in our catalogue: