Tercentenary 2 Coin

Introducing the Tercentenary 2 Pound Coin

After the Glorious Revolution in 1688, King James II of England was overthrown. The ‘Bloodless Revolution’ was led by William III of England, who took the crown with his wife, Mary II. The Bill of Rights was agreed to by William and Mary in 1689 when they took the throne. The legal document states basic civil rights and also dictates the process of the inheritance of the Crown., moving the political power balance more on Parliament than the Crown. It continues to be in effect to this day and is referenced in cases in the UK and throughout the Commonwealth. 

1989 Tercentenary 2 Pound Coin

The reverse design of the 1989 Tercentenary 2 pound coin, by John Lobban, features the Royal Cypher of William and Mary, the royal monogram of the King and Queen. It’s intertwined with the mace of the House of Commons. Above it is the St Edward’s crown while the phrase ‘Tercentenary of the Bill of Rights’ surrounds the entire design along the upper edge. The obverse side has the third crowned portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II by Raphael David Maklouf. 

This 2-pound coin was released when the Royal Mint was issuing 2-pound coins occasionally for special events, as noted by its single gold colour nickel-brass composition. It wasn’t until 1997 that the bi-colour 2 pound coins would be released for general circulation. 

(Caption: 1689 English Bill of Rights)

How Much is the 1989 Tercentenary of the Bill of Rights 2 Pound Coin Worth?

The Tercentenary 2 pound coin was minted around 4.4 million times. (The mintage figure also includes the Scottish version of the coin.) The highest price sold for a Tercentenary of the Bill of Rights 2-pound coin was £21.05. 

Other Versions of the Tercentenary of the Bill of Rights 2 Pound Coin

There is also the Silver Proof version, mintage of 25,000. 

As mentioned earlier, there is a Scottish version of the Tercentenary 2 pound coin. It commemorates the 300^th anniversary of the 1689 Claim of Right, passed by Scottish Parliament in light of the English Bill of Rights being passed. It features the Crown of Scotland instead of the St Edward’s crown and its inscription says ‘Tercentenary of the Claim of Right.’ 

Other Pre-1997 £2 Coins

If you’re interested in more ‘gold’ 2-pound coins, Chancery Collection also has the 1986 XIII Commonwealth Games 2 pound coin and the 1995 Dove of Peace 2 pound coin.