Great Fire Of London 2 Coin

Hey there, history buffs! Ever heard of the Great Fire of London 2 Coin? Buckle up, 'cause we're about to dive into a tale of flames, fortune, and a whole lotta fun!

So, picture this: it's 1666, and London's like a giant, wooden matchstick city. One sunny September morning, a little spark from a baker's oven in Pudding Lane decides it's party time. Next thing you know, the whole city's up in smoke!

Now, you'd think that'd be the end of the story, right? Wrong! Fast forward to 2016, 400 years later, and the Royal Mint's like, "Hey, let's celebrate this fiery anniversary with a coin!" And boom! The Great Fire of London 2 Coin is born.

But why the '2', you ask?

Well, remember the first coin they made for the 350th anniversary? Yep, that's right, the Great Fire of London Coin. So, when they decided to throw another party for the 400th, they figured, why not make it a sequel?

And let me tell you, this coin's got more drama than a Shakespeare play. Designed by Gareth Williams, it's got a 3D effect that makes it look like the fire's leaping right off the coin! Flip it over, and you'll see the iconic St. Paul's Cathedral rising from the ashes. Talk about a phoenix moment!

Now, here's where it gets really interesting...

You know how some coins have a little bit of gold or silver? Well, this one's got a secret ingredient: ash! Yep, you heard it right. A tiny speck of ash from a beam recovered from the Great Fire is trapped inside. It's like a little time capsule, straight from 1666!

New £2 coin to mark Great Fire of London anniversary - BBC Newsround

But wait, there's more! The Royal Mint hid a secret message in the design. Can you spot it? Look closely at the flames, and you'll find the letters 'L' and 'D'. Clever, huh?

So, why's this coin just so darn fun?

Well, for starters, it's like a party invitation to history. It's a reminder that even in the face of disaster, we can rise from the ashes and celebrate our past. Plus, who doesn't love a good fire story? And let's not forget, it's got a little bit of London's history literally baked into it. How cool is that?

First look: New Royal Mint coin designs for 2016 - Change Checker

So, next time you're in London, keep an eye out for that little speck of ash. It's a tiny, fiery piece of history, just waiting to tell its story. And who knows, maybe you'll even spot a few more secrets hidden in plain sight!

Until next time, history lovers. Stay curious, and keep making history fun!