1986 2 Pound Coin

Introducing the 1986 2 Pound Coin

In 1986, the thirteenth Commonwealth Games were held in Edinburgh, Scotland, and to celebrate, the Royal Mint released this commemorative 2 pound coin, the first British coin ever to honour a sporting event. This particular year of the Commonwealth Games came with controversy due to Margaret Thatcher’s commitment to keeping ties with apartheid South Africa. Because of this stand, 32 of the 59 eligible countries staged a boycott, opting out of participation that year.

Commonwealth Games 1986 2 Pound Coin

The 1986 2 pound Gold coin design features the Scottish Thistle and laurel wreath in front of the cross of St Andrew. This is the first British coin ever issued to commemorate a sporting event. The nickel-brass version was also the Royal Mint’s very first non-gold 2 pound coin as well.

Because the coin is made of Gold and non-circulated, the coin comes in a Standard Proof finish and is struck at least twice, providing more detail than an ordinary coin. Also known as the “Double Sovereign,” the 2 pound gold coin is also Capital Gains Tax-Free.

Designed by Norman Sillman, the coin also features an inscription on the edge, ‘XIII Commonwealth Games Scotland 1986.’  The obverse side is of the third official portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II by Raphael David Maklouf.

(Caption: Official logo from the 1986 Commonwealth Games)

How Much is the 1986 2 Pound Coin Worth?

The Commonwealth Games 2 pound gold coin has a limited mintage of about 3000. If you’re lucky enough to have this coin, make sure you also have its box and certificate of authenticity. With all these items together, your Commonwealth Games 2 pound gold coin would sell for around £500. In 2019, eBay doesn’t have any gold versions available, so that gives you a hint to how hard it is to find!

If you’re looking to buy it on Ebay, beware of “Fools Gold” coins where the buyers post pictures of the gold versions but actually sell you the nickel-brass version. If the price seems too cheap, it’s probably because it’s not really the gold coin.

Other 1986 Commonwealth Games Coin Versions

If you don’t have the gold 1986 Commonwealth Games 2 pound coin, you probably have one of its other, more common versions. The Royal Mint also produced the coin in nickel-brass (Mintage: about 8 million), Brilliant Uncirculated, Silver (Mintage: about 58,000), and Silver Proof (Mintage: about 60,000). The Silver coin is made with .500 sterling silver while the Silver Proof is made with .925 sterling silver.

If you’re curious what version you have, the nickel-brass (otherwise known as base metal) versions tend to be the same thickness as the current base metal £2 coins. If your coin has a thickness that’s similar to a 10p coin, then you might actually have the gold coin! The gold coin is also actually more of a copper colour than gold.

Similar Coins

The Commonwealth Games were celebrated again in 2002 when the Royal Mint released a series of four 2 pound coins to celebrate the XVII Commonwealth Games in Manchester. Each one of the four coins features the flag of the four participating countries from the UK. There is also the 2014 Commonwealth Games 50p minted for the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.