Honoring the Royal Navy’s role in World War I, the Royal Mint released into circulation a small number of £2 commemorative coins.
According to the Mint, it released 100 commemorative Royal Navy 2015 £2 Coins through the HMS Belfast gift shop.
Visitors to the restored warship are "urged to keep a close eye on their change just in case they should be one of the lucky few to find one of the coins," the Mint said in a news statement.
These coins feature a Royal Navy battleship, as designed by respected military artist David Rowlands. It is the same basic design that will appear on Royal Navy 2015 £2 circulating coins scheduled to appear later this year.
However, obverses of these commemorative coins include the Ian Rank-Broadley image of Queen Elizabeth II. The upcoming circulating coins will showcase a new portrait of the Queen that will be unveiled on Mar. 2.
"We thought it a fitting tribute to the Royal Navy’s role in the First World War centenary commemorations to strike this small run of 100 £2 coins featuring the current effigy," said Shane Bissett, Director of Commemorative Coin and Medals at The Royal Mint.
Those not lucky enough to receive one of the coins may want to consider getting them directly from the Royal Mint. Brilliant uncirculated examples, like those released into circulation, may be purchased for £10.
Silver, silver piedfort and gold versions of the commemorative coins are also available.
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Priced at £50, the Royal Navy 2015 UK £2 Silver Proof Coin is struck in .925 sterling silver and has a maximum mintage of 8,500.
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Priced at £100, the Royal Navy 2015 UK £2 Silver Proof Piedfort Coin is struck in .925 sterling silver and has an outer plate of fine gold. It is limited to 4,000.
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Priced at £750, the Royal Navy 2015 UK £2 Gold Proof Coin is struck in 22 carat gold and has a maximum mintage of 750.
Orders for these coins may be placed on the Royal Mint’s website at www.royalmint.com. An affiliate link to the Mint’s First World War coins is right here.
