£2 Coin Values UK 2026: Complete Rare £2 Price Guide
Britain's bimetallic £2 coin has been in circulation since 1998 (pre-dated by the 1986 commemorative nickel-brass piece). With over 50 designs in issue, a few have become genuinely scarce — some commanding 40–80× face value. Here's the full list with verified realised prices.
Last updated: 22 April 2026 · Data: MyCoinage verified auction results
Top 10 rarest circulating £2 coins
| # | Design | Year | Mintage | Typical value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Commonwealth Games, Northern Ireland | 2002 | 485,500 | £80 – £120 |
| 2 | Commonwealth Games, Wales | 2002 | 588,500 | £35 – £60 |
| 3 | Commonwealth Games, Scotland | 2002 | 771,750 | £25 – £50 |
| 4 | Commonwealth Games, England | 2002 | 650,500 | £20 – £45 |
| 5 | Olympic Handover (Beijing → London) | 2008 | 910,000 | £15 – £30 |
| 6 | WWI Centenary: Navy | 2015 | 650,000 | £10 – £20 |
| 7 | King James Bible 400th | 2011 | 975,000 | £6 – £14 |
| 8 | Mary Rose 500th | 2011 | 1,040,000 | £5 – £12 |
| 9 | Olympic Handover (London → Rio) | 2012 | 845,000 | £5 – £10 |
| 10 | Abolition of the Slave Trade | 2007 | 8,445,000 | £3 – £8 |
The 2002 Commonwealth Games set
The set of four £2 coins marking the Manchester Commonwealth Games is the benchmark rare £2 collection. Each coin features a flag ribbon around the edge (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) and the games symbol in the centre. Total combined mintage was just under 2.5 million — tiny by £2 standards. A complete set in uncirculated grade trades for £200–£350 at Noonans and Baldwin's.
How to identify a bimetallic £2
- Weight: 12.00g ± 0.05g. Lighter coins are nickel-brass (pre-bimetallic, 1986-style).
- Diameter: 28.4mm.
- Edge inscription: varies by design — "STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS" on the Newton £2, "WHAT IS PAST IS PROLOGUE" on the 2015 Britannia, etc. A detailed list is maintained by Change Checker.
- The ring: always the outer yellow-brass ring around a cupronickel centre. Any other configuration is a pattern or fantasy piece.
Featured £2 coins on MyCoinage
2 Pounds - Royal Arsenal CSL Kent
2 Pounds - Royal Arsenal CSL Kent
2 Pounds - Royal Arsenal CSL Kent
2 Pounds - Edward VIII Pattern
2 Pounds - George V
up to £12,000
2 Pounds - Edward VII
up to £2,550
2 Pounds - George IV
up to £1,600
2 Pounds - George IV Uniface Pattern
2 Pounds - George IV Uniface Pattern
2 Pounds - George VI
2 Pounds - Victoria 2nd portrait
up to £30,000
2 Pounds - Victoria 3rd portrait
up to £30,000
Frequently asked £2 questions
Which £2 coin is the rarest?
The 2002 Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games £2, with a mintage of 485,500, is the scarcest circulating £2. Verified realised prices reach £80–£120 for uncirculated examples. The 2008 Olympic Handover to Beijing £2 (910,000) and the 2015 Navy £2 (650,000) are also highly sought after.
How much is a 1986 £2 coin worth?
The 1986 Commonwealth Games £2 was the first ever UK £2 coin, a nickel-brass single-colour piece (pre-bimetallic). Circulated examples are common at £3–£5; uncirculated run £10–£20.
Are 2012 Charles Dickens £2 coins rare?
The 2012 Charles Dickens £2 had a mintage of 8,190,000 — not rare in absolute terms, but it's a popular design with collectors. Circulated examples trade at £3–£5; brilliant uncirculated grade commands £8–£15.
What is the "inverted effigy" £2?
A production error where the reverse was struck 180° out of alignment with the obverse. True inverted-effigy £2s are rare and can realise £80–£150 at auction. Check by holding the coin portrait-up; the reverse design should read right-way-up when you flip vertically. If it's upside down, you have a mule.
Is the 2015 Britannia £2 still in circulation?
Yes. The Britannia bimetallic £2 has been issued most years since 2015 with slight design variations. None are especially rare — typical mintages run 9–60 million.