Two Pound Coin 2012 Charles Dickens

Alright, gather 'round, folks. I've got a tale to tell you about a coin. But not just any coin, oh no, this one's got a story that's worth its weight in, well, itself. We're talking about the Two Pound Coin from 2012, the one that's got Charles Dickens' mug on it. You know, the guy who wrote all those books your English teacher loved so much. Now, where do I even begin?

Enter: The Two Pound Coin

So, picture this. It's 2012, the London Olympics are in full swing, and the Royal Mint is like, "Hey, let's commemorate this with a special coin!" Now, they could've put an Olympian on it, or maybe the Queen (again, I know, I know, she's on everything). But no, they went, "Nah, let's put a dead guy on it. A writer, no less!" And thus, the Two Pound Coin with Charles Dickens' face was born.

Now, I'm not saying Dickens wasn't a big deal. The guy practically invented Christmas, for crying out loud. But a coin? Really? I mean, have you ever tried to use a two-pound coin in a vending machine? It's like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Or, you know, a two-pound coin into a one-pound slot. But I digress.

Meet the Coin

So, what does this coin look like? Well, it's got Dickens' face on it, obviously. But it's not just any face. It's a profile, like he's looking off into the distance, maybe pondering the intricacies of Victorian society, or perhaps just wondering where he left his quill. Around his head, it says "Charles Dickens," because, you know, just in case you weren't sure who that was.

On the other side, you've got the usual suspects: the Queen's head, the year "2012," and the words "Two Pounds." But here's where it gets interesting. Instead of the usual "Elizabeth II" inscription, they've got "Dieu et mon droit," which is French for "God and my right." Fancy, huh? I mean, it's not like we didn't have enough languages in this little island already.

Fun Facts: Because Who Doesn't Love a Good Fact?

Now, you might be thinking, "That's all well and good, but what's so special about this coin?" Well, let me tell you, my friends, this coin is like the party trick of the coin world. It's got more surprises than a magician's hat.

First off, it's huge. I mean, it's a two-pound coin, so it's practically a small plate. It's 28.4mm in diameter, which is like, what, five times the size of a one-pound coin? It's so big, you could use it as a makeshift frisbee. Not that I've tried, of course. Ahem.

But size isn't the only thing that sets this coin apart. It's also heavy. Like, really heavy. It's made of two metals: an outer ring of cupro-nickel (which is just a fancy way of saying it's got copper and nickel in it) and an inner core of nickel-brass. The combination of these metals makes it weigh a whopping 12 grams. That's like, what, a quarter of a bag of sugar? It's so heavy, it could give your pocket a workout. Or, you know, cause a black hole in your wallet. But again, I digress.

And here's where it gets really weird. This coin is bi-metallic. That's right, it's got two metals in it. And not just any two metals, mind you. The outer ring is worth more than the inner core. It's like the coin version of a fancy cake with a surprise filling. Or, you know, a coin with a surprise core. But you get the idea.

2012 Charles Dickens £2 - Coin Parade

And Then There's the Edge

Now, you might think that with all these fancy metals and a big ol' face on it, the edge of the coin would be boring. But no, the Royal Mint had to go and make that special too. The edge of this coin has got ribs. Yes, you heard me right. Ribs. It's like the coin equivalent of a washboard stomach. Or, you know, a coin with abs. I'm not sure what that says about our society, but there you have it.

So, What's It Worth?

Now, you might be wondering, "Okay, this coin sounds pretty cool. But what's it actually worth?" Well, that's where things get a bit tricky. On the one hand, it's worth two pounds. On the other hand, it's worth a lot more to collectors. You see, this coin was only minted for a limited time, and only a certain number were made. So, if you've got one, you're sitting on a potential goldmine. Or, you know, a really heavy coin.

But here's the thing. This coin is so valuable, some people are actually hoarding them. Yes, you heard me right. There are people out there who are keeping these coins hidden away, just waiting for the day they can cash in. It's like they're sitting on a pile of gold, except it's, well, not gold. But still, it's a bit weird, right?

And Then There's the Counterfeits

Now, you might think that with all these fancy metals and a big ol' face on it, this coin would be hard to counterfeit. But no, even this coin isn't safe from the scourge of counterfeiting. In fact, there are so many fake two-pound coins out there, the Royal Mint had to issue a warning. I mean, come on, people. If you're going to counterfeit a coin, at least make it a valuable one. Like, I don't know, a gold coin. Or a coin with a dead writer on it. But that's just me.

So, Should You Buy One?

Now, you might be thinking, "This coin sounds amazing. I need one in my life." And you know what? I can't blame you. It's big, it's heavy, it's got ribs. What's not to love? But here's the thing. This coin is rare. And it's valuable. So, if you're going to buy one, make sure you're getting the real deal. And if you're not sure, well, there's always eBay. But buyer beware, folks. The internet is a dangerous place.

And there you have it, folks. The tale of the Two Pound Coin with Charles Dickens' face. It's big, it's heavy, it's got a story to tell. And who knows? Maybe one day, it'll be worth more than just two pounds. But until then, it's still just a coin. A really, really heavy coin.