Description: The 2 pence coin (often referred to as "tuppence") is a denomination of the British decimal currency, introduced on February 15, 1971, during the UK's transition to the decimal system. Here's a brief overview of its history:1. Decimal Day and Introduction (1971)Prior to 1971, the British monetary system was based on pounds, shillings, and pence. One pound was made up of 20 shillings, and one shilling was worth 12 pence.Decimalization simplified the system, with 100 new pence (denoted as "p") equaling one pound.The 2p coin was one of the first new decimal coins to be introduced, alongside the ½p, 1p, 5p, 10p, and 50p coins.2. DesignThe original 2p coin design features a Badge of the Prince of Wales: three ostrich feathers emerging from a coronet, with the motto "ICH DIEN" (German for "I serve").The obverse features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Four different portraits of the Queen have appeared on the 2p coin since its introduction, reflecting her aging over time:Arnold Machin (1971–1984)Raphael Maklouf (1985–1997)Ian Rank-Broadley (1998–2015)Jody Clark (2015–present)3. Material CompositionFrom 1971 to 1992, the 2p coin was made of bronze (97% copper, 2.5% zinc, 0.5% tin).In 1992, due to rising copper prices, the composition was changed to steel, coated with copper. This is why modern 2p coins are magnetic, whereas earlier ones are not.4. The 1983 "New Pence" ErrorBetween 1971 and 1981, the reverse of the 2p coin bore the inscription "NEW PENCE" to denote the decimal currency.From 1982 onwards, the inscription was changed to "TWO PENCE."In 1983, a small number of 2p coins were mistakenly struck with the "NEW PENCE" inscription instead of "TWO PENCE." These error coins are now valuable to collectors.5. Circulation and UsageThe 2p coin has been widely used in everyday transactions since its introduction. However, its purchasing power has diminished over time due to inflation, making it less significant for larger purchases but still commonly used in small-value transactions.There have been discussions about phasing out lower-denomination coins, including the 2p coin, but they remain in circulation as of 2024.6. Current StatusThe 2p coin remains in active circulation in the UK, though its role is diminishing due to increasing use of electronic payments and declining demand for small change. There have been reports over the years about the potential withdrawal of 1p and 2p coins, but they continue to be minted for now. Overall, the 2 pence coin has a strong historical link to the UK's switch to decimal currency and remains a nostalgic and functional part of the coinage systemThe 2 pence coin (often referred to as "tuppence") is a denomination of the British decimal currency, introduced on February 15, 1971, during the UK's transition to the decimal system. Here's a brief overview of its history:1. Decimal Day and Introduction (1971)Prior to 1971, the British monetary system was based on pounds, shillings, and pence. One pound was made up of 20 shillings, and one shilling was worth 12 pence.Decimalization simplified the system, with 100 new pence (denoted as "p") equaling one pound.The 2p coin was one of the first new decimal coins to be introduced, alongside the ½p, 1p, 5p, 10p, and 50p coins.2. DesignThe original 2p coin design features a Badge of the Prince of Wales: three ostrich feathers emerging from a coronet, with the motto "ICH DIEN" (German for "I serve").The obverse features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Four different portraits of the Queen have appeared on the 2p coin since its introduction, reflecting her aging over time:Arnold Machin (1971–1984)Raphael Maklouf (1985–1997)Ian Rank-Broadley (1998–2015)Jody Clark (2015–present)3. Material CompositionFrom 1971 to 1992, the 2p coin was made of bronze (97% copper, 2.5% zinc, 0.5% tin).In 1992, due to rising copper prices, the composition was changed to steel, coated with copper. This is why modern 2p coins are magnetic, whereas earlier ones are not.4. The 1983 "New Pence" ErrorBetween 1971 and 1981, the reverse of the 2p coin bore the inscription "NEW PENCE" to denote the decimal currency.From 1982 onwards, the inscription was changed to "TWO PENCE."In 1983, a small number of 2p coins were mistakenly struck with the "NEW PENCE" inscription instead of "TWO PENCE." These error coins are now valuable to collectors.5. Circulation and UsageThe 2p coin has been widely used in everyday transactions since its introduction. However, its purchasing power has diminished over time due to inflation, making it less significant for larger purchases but still commonly used in small-value transactions.There have been discussions about phasing out lower-denomination coins, including the 2p coin, but they remain in circulation as of 2024.6. Current StatusThe 2p coin remains in active circulation in the UK, though its role is diminishing due to increasing use of electronic payments and declining demand for small change. There have been reports over the years about the potential withdrawal of 1p and 2p coins, but they continue to be minted for now. Overall, the 2 pence coin has a strong historical link to the UK's switch to decimal currency and remains a nostalgic and functional part of the coinage system.
Price: 400 USD
Location: Southall
End Time: 2024-11-21T00:06:34.000Z
Shipping Cost: 7 USD
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Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
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Certification: Royal Mint
Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom
Circulated/Uncirculated: Circulated
Grade: Ungraded
Strike Type: Matte
Composition: Copper