Landmarks of Britain facts for kids
| United Kingdom | |
| Value | 2 pounds sterling |
|---|---|
| Mass | 31.21 g |
| Diameter | 38.61 mm |
| Edge | Milled |
| Composition | .999 fine silver |
| Years of minting | 2016 |
Quick facts for kids Obverse |
|
| Design | Queen Elizabeth II |
| Designer | Jody Clark |
| Reverse | |
| Design | Big Ben |
| Designer | Glyn Davies and Laura Clancy |
| Design date | 2015 |
The Landmarks of Britain is a special series of silver coins made by the Royal Mint in the United Kingdom. These coins are known as "bullion coins," which means they are valued for the precious metal they contain (in this case, silver) rather than just their face value. The series celebrates famous places and buildings across Britain.
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About the Landmarks of Britain Coins
The first coin in this exciting series was released in 2017. It features a detailed picture of Big Ben, which is the nickname for the famous clock tower at the Houses of Parliament in London. This design had actually been used before on a larger £100 coin in 2015.
What Makes These Coins Special?
The Landmarks of Britain coins are made from very pure silver, specifically 99.9% fine silver. This makes them attractive to collectors and people who want to own silver. Each coin has a face value of £2, but its real value comes from the silver inside.
The Royal Mint plans to release several coins in this series, each showing a different iconic British landmark.
Famous British Landmarks on Coins
After the Big Ben coin, the Royal Mint released two more coins in 2018. These featured other well-known London sights:
- Tower Bridge: This is a famous bridge that crosses the River Thames. It's known for its two large towers and the way it can open up to let ships pass through.
- Trafalgar Square: This is a large public square in central London. It's famous for Nelson's Column and the four lion statues at its base.
The next coin in the series is expected to show Buckingham Palace, which is the official residence of the King of the United Kingdom.
Coin Production and Rarity
The Royal Mint made a maximum of 50,000 of these silver bullion coins. This number is called the "mintage limit." It means that no more than 50,000 of each design will ever be made, which can make them quite special for collectors.
There was also a very rare set of four proof coins released in 2014. These coins had the same designs as the bullion series, but they were made with a special "proof" finish, which means they are extra shiny and detailed. These proof coins also featured three different colors, making them even more unique. Only 3,500 of these special proof sets were made, making them much rarer than the regular bullion coins.
