Since its release in April 2016, the William Shakespeare £2 coin has become one of the most popular coins to collect in circulation. It’s a beautiful piece of numismatic history and a great way to commemorate the life and work of William Shakespeare. In this article, we will look at the William Shakespeare £2 coin and discuss its design, production, and release. We will also explain why it is so sought-after and how you can get your hands on this rare coin. So let’s get started!
The History of the William Shakespeare £2 Coin
The William Shakespeare £2 coin was first minted in 2016 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the death of the world-renowned playwright and poet. The coin’s design features a portrait of Shakespeare on the obverse, surrounded by a graphic representation of his famous works. The reverse of the coin depicts an open book with quill and ink, along with the dates ‘1564-1616’.
The William Shakespeare £2 coin is one of a series of special commemorative coins minted by the Royal Mint in recent years. Other coins in the series include those for the 2012 London Olympics, the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Design of the William Shakespeare £2 Coin
The coin was designed by Antony Dufort and features a portrait of Shakespeare on the obverse (front) side, with a quotation from his play Julius Caesar on the reverse (back) side.
The portrait of Shakespeare on the obverse side of the coin is based on a bust that is housed in the British Museum. The Latin quotation on the reverse side, “Non sanz droict“, is translated as “Not without right” and comes from Act III, Scene I of Julius Caesar.
Minting of the William Shakespeare £2 Coin
The coin, designed by Matthew Dent, features a portrait of Shakespeare on the obverse and a representation of the Globe Theatre on the reverse. The coin was minted in both gold and silver versions, with a limited edition presentation pack also available.
The Significance of the William Shakespeare £2 Coin
The obverse (front) of the coin features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II designed by Jody Clark. The reverse (back) of the coin depicts a scene from Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, with Lady Macbeth clutching a dagger above her husband’s sleeping body. The coin also includes the inscription “1616-2016” to mark the four hundredth anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.
According to Royal Mint Director of Communications Claire Machin, the design for the William Shakespeare £2 coin was chosen to reflect “the breadth and depth” of his work. She noted that Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays, and that the depicted scene is “instantly recognizable.”
The release of the William Shakespeare £2 coin coincided with a series of events and exhibitions being held across the United Kingdom to celebrate his life and work. These include an exhibition at Buckingham Palace, as well as performances of his plays at theaters around the country.
William Shakespeare Comedies £2
Comedies were Shakespeare’s bread and butter. He wrote approximately 38 of them, including fan favorites like “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Much Ado About Nothing.” While Shakespeare’s comedies are often witty and lighthearted, they also deal with more serious themes, like love, marriage, and class.
Shakespeare’s comedies typically end with a wedding or betrothal, signifying the triumph of love over obstacles. However, the path to true love is never easy in a Shakespeare comedy. The characters often go through trials and tribulations – from mistaken identity to unrequited love – before finally finding happiness. Along the way, there are plenty of laughs to be had.
If you’re looking for a fun and entertaining read, look no further than Shakespeare’s comedies. You can find them all for just £2!
William Shakespeare Tragedies £2
The William Shakespeare Tragedies £2 coin was released in 2016 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the death of the world-renowned playwright.
The coin features a portrait of Shakespeare on the obverse, with a quotation from his most famous play, Hamlet, on the reverse.
This coin is part of a set of four commemorative coins issued by the Royal Mint to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.
The other three coins in the set feature portraits of Shakespeare’s comedy and history characters, as well as a special edition £5 coin featuring a portrait of the Bard himself.
Shakespeare 2 Coin Worth Anything
A Shakespeare 2 coin is a commemorative coin minted by the Royal Mint in 2016. It is made of two ounces of silver and has a face value of two pounds. It is not legal tender, but it is worth its weight in silver.
At the time of writing, the spot price of silver is approximately $17.90 per troy ounce, meaning that a Shakespeare 2 coin would have a value of approximately $35.80 USD.
Is The William Shakespeare 2 Pound Coin Rare?
The William Shakespeare £2 coin is definitely a rare coin. Only 9,500 of these coins were minted and released into circulation in 2016. The release of the coin coincided with the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. Given the low mintage and the high demand for anything related to Shakespeare, it’s no surprise that this coin is difficult to find and commands a high price when it does turn up for sale.
If you’re lucky enough to come across one of these coins, you can expect to pay anywhere from £50-£100 for it. So, if you’re a fan of Shakespeare or simply a collector of rare coins, keep your eyes peeled for the William Shakespeare £2 coin!
What Is The Error On The 2016 Shakespeare 2 Coin
The 2016 Shakespeare 2 coin features a portrait of the playwright on the obverse, surrounded by a quotation from one of his plays. The reverse of the coin depicts a Globe Theatre. The edge inscription reads “Exhibiting at an international level”.
However, there is an error on this coin. The edge inscription actually reads “Exhibition at an international levels”, which is incorrect grammar. This error was not noticed until after the coins had been minted and released into circulation.
This error has caused some confusion and debate among collectors and numismatists. Some believe that the error makes the coin more valuable, while others believe that it diminishes the value of the coin. However, there is no definitive answer as to how much (if any) the error affects the value of the coin.
Where Else Can You Buy The William Shakespeare £2 Coins?
There are a few places where you can buy the William Shakespeare £2 coin. The first place is the Royal Mint website. They have a limited number of coins available for purchase. The second place is eBay. There are many sellers on eBay who have the coin available for purchase. The third place is the British Museum shop. They have a small number of coins available for purchase.
The Future of William Shakespeare £2 Coin
The William Shakespeare £2 coin is part of a series of ” Britons of Distinction” coins released by the Royal Mint in 2015. The other coins in the series feature Sir Winston Churchill, Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Florence Nightingale. The Shakespeare coin is the only one in the series that is still available for purchase on the Royal Mint website.
The front of the coin features a portrait of Shakespeare with the years 1564-1616 below his chin. The back of the coin depicts a quill pen and an open book with a sonnet written by Shakespeare. The edge of the coin is inscribed with the words “Exceeding all others”.
The release of the Shakespeare £2 coin was met with criticism from some quarters who felt that it was inappropriate to feature a writer on a British coin. However, others have praised the design and welcomed the recognition of Shakespeare’s significant contribution to British culture.
It is unclear what will happen to the William Shakespeare £2 coin when it is withdrawn from circulation in 2028. It is possible that it will become a collectors’ item and increase in value over time. Alternatively, it may simply be melted down and reused to create new coins. Whatever happens to the Shakespeare £2 coin, it is sure to remain an important part of British history.
Conclusion
The William Shakespeare £2 coin is a great tribute to one of the greatest playwrights of all time. The coin, with its distinctive design and quote from Romeo and Juliet, stands out among other British coins. It’s also a valuable piece that can be collected as an investment or used in everyday transactions. Whether you are looking to add some culture to your collection or just want to show off your love for literature, the William Shakespeare £2 Coin will make a perfect addition!
