Coin
2 Pounds - Elizabeth II King James Bible; Gold (2011) — United Kingdom
United Kingdom • 2011 • KM# 1200b, Sp# K28
Overview
A gold Proof 2 Pounds non-circulating commemorative coin from the United Kingdom, marking the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. Minted in 2011 with a limited mintage of 355 pieces. The obverse features the fourth crowned portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley. The reverse, designed by Paul Stafford and Benjamin Wright, depicts the opening verse of St John's Gospel as an inverted printing block. Struck as Proof.
Specifications
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Year
- 2011
- Composition
- Gold (.9167)
- Weight
- 15.98 g
- Diameter
- 28.4 mm
- Mint
- Royal Mint, Llantrisant, United Kingdom (1968-date)
- Shape
- Round
- Technique
- Milled
- References
- KM# 1200b, Sp# K28
- Issuer
- United Kingdom
Design details
Obverse
Fourth crowned portrait of Queen Elizabeth II right, wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara, legend around. Script: Latin Lettering: ELIZABETH·II·D·G·REG·FID·DEF IRB ·TWO POUNDS· Unabridged legend: Elizabeth II Dei Gratia Regina Fidei Defensatrix Translation: Elizabeth II by the Grace of God Queen Defender of the Faith Engraver: Ian Rank-Broadley
Reverse
Opening verses of St John's Gospel, showing the verse as printing block on the left, printed page on right. Legend above, dates below. Scripts: Latin (Fraktur blackletter), Latin (retrograde) Lettering: KING JAMES BIBLE In the beginning was the Word 1611-2011 Engravers: Paul Stafford, Benjamin Wright
Collector insights
- Design heritage: Ian Rank-Broadley, Paul Stafford, Benjamin Wright is credited as the designer for the Non-circulating coins series. Designer attribution helps distinguish this issue from later restrikes or unofficial copies that reuse only the motif.
- Struck at: Royal Mint, Llantrisant, United Kingdom (1968-date). Confirm the mintmark on your example before comparing prices — same-year issues from different mints often trade at very different levels.
- Low mintage: Only 355 pieces reported. This puts the issue into key-date territory for its series; expect steep grade-based price scaling and a higher counterfeit risk — provenance and third-party grading matter.
- Gold issue: Gold (.9167) — bullion demand competes with numismatic demand. Weight and fineness (not just face value) drive the melt-value floor.
- Catalogue reference: Listed as
KM# 1200b, Sp# K28. Use this reference code when cross-checking auction archives, dealer inventories, and standard printed catalogues.
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Explore more
Browse more items in the full catalog or view United Kingdom in the country guide.