1707 To 2007 Two Pound Coin

So, there I was, rummaging through my grandma's attic, you know, the usual suspects - old records, dusty books, and then, bingo! A small, tarnished coin tucked away in an old biscuit tin. I picked it up, blew off the dust, and to my surprise, it was a two-pound coin. But not just any two-pound coin, it was an 18-carat gold one, minted in the year 1707. Now, I'm no numismatist, but I knew this was something special.

Fast forward to 2007, I'm standing in line at the bank, trying to deposit this little golden gem. The teller, a young chap with a nose ring and a puzzled expression, looks at the coin, then at me, then back at the coin. "Sir," he says, "this isn't a two-pound coin. It's... it's gold!" I chuckled, "Well, son, that's what I've been trying to tell you."

From 1707 to 2007: The Tale of the Two-Pound Coin

Now, you might be wondering, how did a 1707 gold coin end up in my grandma's attic? Well, that's a story for another time. Today, we're going to talk about the humble two-pound coin, from its royal beginnings to its modern-day counterparts.

Born Royal, Raised Common

In 1694, King William III established the Bank of England. To celebrate, they minted a two-pound coin, or a double guinea, as it was then known. It was made of 18-carat gold, and it was heavy. It was so heavy, in fact, that it wasn't long before people started clipping the edges to make smaller, lighter coins. Not cool, guys.

So, in 1718, the government decided to phase out the two-pound coin. They introduced the guinea, a one-pound coin made of 22-carat gold. The two-pound coin was no more. Or so they thought.

RARE £2 POUND COIN Act of Union Jigsaw 1707 2007 circulated | eBay UK

Rise of the Two-Pound Coin

Fast forward to 1998. The British public had been using one-pound coins for a while now, and they were getting tired of carrying around a handful of them. So, the Royal Mint decided to bring back the two-pound coin. But this time, it was made of bimetallic material - a copper-nickel core with a gold-colored outer ring. It was lighter, more durable, and it had a cool, futuristic look to it.

And thus, the two-pound coin was back, bigger and better than ever. It was a hit with the public, and it's been a staple of British currency ever since. Well, until 2017, when the Royal Mint decided to phase it out. Again. But that's a story for another time.

Act Of Union 1707 2 Pound Coin: Complete Guide & Key Details | TAFT

From Gold to Plastic

So, where does that leave us? In 2021, the two-pound coin is still in circulation, but it's on its way out. The Royal Mint is replacing it with a bioplastic version. Yes, you heard it right. A coin made of plastic. Now, I'm all for saving the environment, but I can't help but feel a little nostalgic for the good old days of gold and copper.

But who knows? Maybe the new plastic two-pound coin will be just as iconic as its predecessors. Maybe it'll end up in some kid's attic in 300 years, and they'll look at it and wonder, "What's this plastic coin doing in my grandma's attic?"

Only time will tell. Until then, keep an eye out for those old two-pound coins. You never know, you might just find one in your grandma's attic too.