2p Coin Values UK: The 1983 "New Pence" Error & Rarer 2p Coins
The humble copper 2p has one famous error worth hundreds of pounds — and several older relatives ranging from the giant "cartwheel" twopence of 1797 to Royal Maundy silver twopences. Here's the full 2p story.
The 1983 "New Pence" 2p
All UK decimal coins carried the inscription "NEW PENCE" from 1971 (decimalisation) until 1981. From 1982 onwards the Royal Mint changed this to the denomination name — "TWO PENCE" — to avoid ambiguity now that the "new" system was the only system.
In 1983, the Royal Mint produced a set of uncirculated proof coins for collectors. Due to a die-preparation error, a small number of 2p coins in that set were struck with the obsolete "NEW PENCE" reverse. Estimates suggest fewer than 1,000 escaped into private hands. These trade at £300–£700 each depending on condition, making them among the most valuable modern UK circulating coins by face value multiple.
The 1797 "cartwheel" twopence
A massive 56mm copper coin from Matthew Boulton's Soho Mint in Birmingham, the cartwheel twopence is often the first pre-1800 coin a new collector buys. It weighs 56.7g and was designed to make forgery uneconomic. Circulated examples are £10–£30; near-uncirculated can reach £150–£300.
Other 2p coins worth investigating
| Type | Period | Notes | Typical value |
|---|---|---|---|
| "New Pence" mule | 1983 | Mint-set mule, extremely rare | £300 – £700 |
| Boulton Cartwheel | 1797 | 56mm copper, pre-decimal | £10 – £300 |
| Victorian bronze 2d | 1860–1902 | Worn common; high grade scarce | £3 – £50 |
| Maundy twopence | Annual | Silver, Royal Maundy ceremony gift | £10 – £60 |
| Royal Mint proof 2p | 1971+ | Sealed mint sets, brilliant UNC | £2 – £8 |
Featured 2p coins on MyCoinage
