Coins of England and Great BritainDecimal Two Pounds

Decimal Two Pounds - Commemorative Issue 1986 - 1996
All the circulating coins have an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II facing right on the Obverse, and various national and regional designs on the Reverse. All current coins carry a Latin inscription whose full form is
ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FIDEI DEFENSOR
Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II:    1° 1971-1984     by Arnold Machin    2° 1985-1997     by Raphael Maklouf    3° 1998 to date  by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS OBVERSE - Portrait #2 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRATIA·REGINA·F·D· TWO POUNDS ·".
13th Commonwealth Games, held in Scotland (1986). To commemorate the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh. OBVERSE - Portrait #2 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRATIA·REGINA·F·D· TWO POUNDS ·". REVERSE - Designed by Norman Sillman it shows a Scottish Thistle with St. Andrews Cross behind it in the background, a Wreath above it and the date "1986". EDGE - "XIII COMMONWEALTH GAMES SCOTLAND 1986".
Tercentenary of the English Bill of Rights (1989). To commemorate the Tercentenary of the English Bill of Rights. OBVERSE - Portrait #2 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRATIA·REGINA·F·D· TWO POUNDS ·". REVERSE - Designed by John Lobban it shows an inter wound W and M with an horizontal Sceptre across the middle with the English Crown at the top and the date 1689 1989 below and the inscription "TERCENTENARY OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS".
Tercentenary of the Scottish Claim of Right (1989). To commemorate the Tercentenary of the Scottish Claim of Rights. OBVERSE - Portrait #2 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRATIA·REGINA·F·D· TWO POUNDS ·". REVERSE - Designed by John Lobban it shows an inter wound W and M with an horizontal Sceptre across the middle with the Scottish Crown at the top and the date 1689 1989 below and the inscription "TERCENTENARY OF THE CLAIM OF RIGHTS".
Tercentenary of the Bank of England (1994). To commemorate the Tercentenary of the Bank of England. OBVERSE - Portrait #2 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRATIA·REGINA·F·D· TWO POUNDS ·". REVERSE - Designed by Leslie Durban it shows a crowned inter wound W and M at the top with the Bank of England's Seal in the middle with 1694 to its left and 1994 to its right and the inscription "BANK OF ENGLAND" (in ornate writing). EDGE - "SIC VOS NON VOBIS" which is Latin for "Thus do ye, but not for yourselves".
50th anniversary of the end of the Second World War (1995). To commemorate Fifty Years of Peace since World War II. OBVERSE - Portrait #2 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRATIA·REGINA·F·D· TWO POUNDS ·". REVERSE - Designed by John Mills it shows a Dove carrying an Olive Branch in its mouth. EDGE - "1945 IN PEACE GOODWILL 1995".
50th Anniversary of the United Nations (1995). To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations. OBVERSE - Portrait #2 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRATIA·REGINA·F·D· TWO POUNDS ·". REVERSE - Designed by Michael Rizzello it shows the UN logo with an Array of Flags leading from it and the number 50 and the inscription "NATIONS UNITED FOR PEACE · 1945-1995 ·".
Euro 96 European Football Championships (1996). To commemorate the European Cup being held in England. OBVERSE - Portrait #2 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRATIA·REGINA·F·D· TWO POUNDS ·". REVERSE - Designed by John Mills it shows a Football filling the whole of the coin with 1996 in the middle. EDGE - "TENTH EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP".

Decimal Bi-Metalic Two Pounds

Excluding Commemorative there are Two types of Two Pound coin struck for Elizabeth II. They are all Bi-metallic coins Cupro Nickel centres with Brass outer rings, have diameters of 28.40 millimetres and weigh approximately 12.0 grams. The coin was the first Bi-metallic British coin in circulation since the Tin and Copper Farthings of 1692. The first type to be struck was struck only in 1997 but due to technical reasons they were not put into circulation till half 1998. The second type to be struck was struck from 1998 to Now. OBVERSE 1 (1997) - Portrait #2 OBVERSE 2 (1998 to now) - Portrait #3 REVERSE - Designed by Bruce Rushin it shows a Circle and Three Rings around it they all representing stages of development. The centre circle represents the Iron Age the next ring of Cogs representing the industrial revolution then the Electronic Age and then the Time of the Internet. The inscription is "TWO POUNDS" at the top and "the year" at the bottom.

Decimal Commemorative Bi-Metalic Two Pounds
Trial piece (1994) Although not a Commemorative there was a trial type Bi-metallic coin released in collectors packs. OBVERSE - Portrait #3 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRATIA·REGINA·F·D". REVERSE - The reverse was of the Golden Hind the ship sailed by Sir Francis Drake and the inscription "ROYAL MINT TRIAL 1994".

All the circulating coins have an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II facing right on the Obverse, and various national and regional designs on the Reverse. All current coins carry a Latin inscription whose full form is
ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FIDEI DEFENSOR
Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II:    1° 1971-1984     by Arnold Machin    2° 1985-1997     by Raphael Maklouf    3° 1998 to date  by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS OBVERSE - Portrait #3 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRA·REG·FID·DEF·".
Rugby World Cup (1999) To celebrate the Rugby World Cup being held in Wales in 1999 (although most of the matches were held in England, Scotland and France). OBVERSE - Portrait #3 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRA·REG·FID·DEF·". REVERSE - Designed by Ron Dutton it shows a large rugby ball in the centre with goal posts over the middle of the ball and the inscription "1999" (around the top of the coin) "TWO POUNDS" (around the bottom). EDGE - "RUGBY WORLD CUP 1999".
Marconi's Transatlantic Transmission (2001) To celebrate the Centenary of Marconi's Transatlantic Transmission in 1901. OBVERSE - Portrait #3 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRA·REG·FID·DEF·". REVERSE - Designed by Robert Evans it shows the Date 2001 with Circles and Wires emitting from it and the inscription "TWO POUNDS" around the bottom.

Commonwealth Games in Manchester (2002) To commemorate the holding of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester. OBVERSE - Portrait #3 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRA·REG·FID·DEF·". REVERSE - Designed by Matthew Bonaccorsi it shows an Athlete running with a Banner and a Circle with a National Flag in it with the inscription "XVII COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2002" and the denomination "£2". EDGE - "SPIRIT OF FRIENDSHIP MANCHESTER 2002".
England	Wales	Scotland	Northern Ireland

Discovery of DNA (2003) To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Discovery of DNA. OBVERSE - Portrait #3 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRA·REG·FID·DEF·". REVERSE - Designed by John Mills it shows a Strand of DNA (Double Helix Pattern), and the inscription "DNA DOUBLE HELIX" across the top of the coin and "1953 TWO POUNDS 2003" across the bottom of the coin. EDGE - "DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID".
Invention of the Industrial Process (2004) To commemorate the Invention of the Industrial Process and the 200th Anniversary of the Steam Locomotive. OBVERSE - Portrait #3 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRA·REG·FID·DEF·". REVERSE - Designed by Robert Lowe, it shows in the centre a Steam Train bordered by a Large Cog and the inscription "TWO POUNDS" written above it and "R.TREVITHICK 1804 INVENTION INDUSTRY PROGRESS 2004" all around. EDGE - Just a pattern representing Viaducts.
Gunpowder Plot (2005) To commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot. OBVERSE - Portrait #3 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRA·REG·FID·DEF·". REVERSE - Designed by Peter Forster it shows Swords, Maces and Croziers arranged like spokes on a bicycle wheel, Stars around the outer of the coin "1605 2005" around the top and "TWO POUNDS" around the bottom of the coin. EDGE - "REMEMBER REMEMBER THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER".
60th Anniversary of the end of WWII (2005) To commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the end of WWII. OBVERSE - Portrait #3 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRA·REG·FID·DEF·". REVERSE - Designed by Robert Elderton it shows the image is of St Paul's Cathedral lit up with Spotlights and the inscription "TWO POUNDS" at the top and "1945-2005" at the bottom. EDGE - "IN VICTORY:MAGNANIMITY,IN PEACE:GOODWILL".
Brunel Portrait (2006) to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. OBVERSE - Portrait #3 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRA·REG·FID·DEF·". REVERSE - Designed by Rod Kelly it shows the Portrait of Isambard Kingdom Brunel with Parts of a Wheel and Bridge behind him and the inscription "TWO POUNDS" at the top and "2006" at the bottom. EDGE - "1806-59·ISAMBARD KINGDOM BRUNEL·ENGINEER".
Brunel Arches of Paddington Station (2006) To commemorate the achievements of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. OBVERSE - Portrait #3 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRA·REG·FID·DEF·". REVERSE - Designed by Robert Evans it shows the image the Arches at Paddington Station and the inscription "TWO POUNDS" at the bottom and "2006" at the top left. EDGE - "SO MANY IRONS IN THE FIRE".
300th Anniversary of the Union of Scotland and England (2007) To commemorate the 300th Anniversary of the Union of England and Scotland. OBVERSE - Portrait #3 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRA·REG·FID·DEF·". REVERSE - Designed by Yvonne Holton the image is split into quarters: Top right and bottom left have Portcullis designs on them, the top left has a Scottish Thistle and the bottom right has an English Rose and the inscription "TWO 2007 POUNDS 1707". EDGE - "UNITED INTO ONE KINGDOM".
The Abolition of the Slave Trade (2007) To commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade. OBVERSE - Portrait #3 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRA·REG·FID·DEF·". REVERSE - Designed by David Gentleman, the image is the Date 1807 with a Chain going Vertically Down through the 0, and the inscription "AN ACT FOR THE ABOLITION OF THE SLAVE TRADE 2007". EDGE - "AM I NOT A MAN AND A BROTHER".
1908 Olympic Games (2008) To commemorate the Centenary of the 1908 Olympic Games held in England. OBVERSE - Portrait #3 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRA·REG·FID·DEF·". REVERSE - Designed by Thomas T. Docherty, it shows a Race Track with the date 1908 in the Start Blocks and "TWO POUNDS 2008" in two of the lanes, and the inscription "LONDON OLYMPIC CENTENARY". EDGE - "THE 4th OLYMPIAD LONDON".
Charles Darwin (2009) To commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Birth of Charles Darwin. OBVERSE - Portrait #3 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRA·REG·FID·DEF·". REVERSE - Designed by Suzie Zamit, it shows a Portrait of Darwin facing a Portrait of a Chimpanzee, and the inscription "1809 DARWIN 2009" at the and "TWO POUNDS" at the bottom. EDGE - "ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES 1859".
Robert Burns (2009) To commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the Birth of Robert Burns. OBVERSE - Portrait #3 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRA·REG·FID·DEF·". REVERSE - The design written in hand "We'll take a cup of kindness yet, For auld lang syne", and the inscription "1759 ROBERT BURNS 1796" at the top and "TWO POUNDS" at the bottom. EDGE - "SHOULD AULD ACQUAINTANCE BE FORGOT".
Florence Nightingale (2010) To commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Florence Nightingale's Book 'Notes on Nursing'. OBVERSE - Portrait #3 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRA·REG·FID·DEF·". REVERSE - Designed by Gordon Summers it shows a Hand having its Pulse Checked, and the inscription "1820 - FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE - 1910" at the top and "TWO POUNDS" at the bottom. EDGE - "150 YEARS OF NURSING".
Mary Rose (2011) To commemorate the 500th Anniversary of the launching of the Mary Rose [Limited Edition]. OBVERSE - Portrait #3 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRA·REG·FID·DEF·". REVERSE - Designed by John Bergdahl it shows the Mary Rose (a ship), and the inscription "THE MARY ROSE" at the top and "TWO POUNDS" at the bottom. EDGE - "1511 · YOUR NOBLEST SHIP".
King James Bible (2011) To commemorate the 400th Anniversary of the Publication of the King James Bible [Limited Edition]. OBVERSE - Portrait #3 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRA·REG·FID·DEF·". REVERSE - Designed was by Paul Stafford and Benjamin Wright, it shows the words "IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD" with the print blocks beside them with the same words but back to front. and the inscription "KING JAMES BIBLE" at the top and "1611-2011" at the bottom. EDGE - "THE AUTHORIZED VERSION".
200th Anniversary of Charles Dickens (2012) To commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Charles Dickens [Limited Edition]. OBVERSE - Portrait #3 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRA·REG·FID·DEF·". REVERSE - Designed was by Matthew Dent, it shows a Portrait of Charles Dickens using titles of his books and the inscription "1812 CHARLES DICKENS 1870" at the left border. EDGE - "SOMETHING WILL TURN UP".
London 2012 Handover to Rio (2012) To commemorate the London 2012 Handover to Rio [Limited Edition]. OBVERSE - Portrait #3 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRA·REG·FID·DEF·". REVERSE - Designed by Jonathan Olliffe, it shows a Relay Baton being passed with UK and Brazilian flags and the inscription "LONDON 2012" at top left and "RIO 2016" at the bottom. EDGE - "I CALL UPON THE YOUTH OF THE WORLD".
150th Anniversary of the London Underground (2013) To commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the London Underground. OBVERSE - Portrait #3 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRA·REG·FID·DEF·". REVERSE - Designed by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, it shows the Image of the London Underground Train surrounded by the inscription "1863-LONDON UNDERGROUND-2013". EDGE - Pattern inspired by London Underground map.
150th Anniversary of the London Underground (2013) To commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the London Underground. OBVERSE - Portrait #3 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRA·REG·FID·DEF·". REVERSE - Designed by Edwina Ellis, it shows the Logo of the London Underground and the inscription "1863" at the top and "2013" at the bottom. EDGE - "MIND THE GAP".
350th Anniversary of the First Minting of the Guinea (2013) To commemorate the 350th Anniversary of the First Minting of the Guinea. OBVERSE - Portrait #3 and the inscription "ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRA·REG·FID·DEF·". REVERSE - Designed by Anthony Smith, it shows The Arms of George III from the so-called "Spade Guinea" of 1787 encircled with the inscription "ANNIVERSARY OF THE GOLDEN GUINEA · 2013". EDGE - "WHAT IS A GUINEA? 'TIS A SPLENDID THING".