Coin
2 Pounds - Elizabeth II 5th portrait; Shakespeare, Tragedy (2016) — United Kingdom
United Kingdom • 2016 • Sp# K40, KM# 1385
Overview
A bimetallic 2 Pounds Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) strike coin of the United Kingdom, commemorating the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare. The obverse features the 5th portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Jody Clark, while the reverse depicts a skull next to a rose representing his tragedies, designed by John Bergdahl. Minted in 2016 with a limited BU mintage of 51,346 pieces.
Specifications
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Year
- 2016
- Composition
- Bimetallic: copper-nickel centre in nickel brass ring
- Weight
- 12 g
- Diameter
- 28.4 mm
- Thickness
- 2.5 mm
- Mint
- Royal Mint, Llantrisant, United Kingdom (1968-date)
- Shape
- Round
- Technique
- Milled
- References
- Sp# K40, KM# 1385
- Issuer
- United Kingdom
Design details
Obverse
Fifth crowned portrait of Queen Elizabeth II right, wearing the George IV State Diadem, legend around. Script: Latin Lettering: ELIZABETH II·D·G·REG·F·D·2 POUNDS· J.C Unabridged legend: Elizabeth II Dei Gratia Regina Fidei Defensatrix Translation: Elizabeth II by the Grace of God Queen Defender of the Faith Engraver: Jody Clark
Reverse
A skull next to a rose, legend around, date below. Script: Latin Lettering: WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE JB 2016 Engraver: John Bergdahl
Collector insights
- Design heritage: Jody Clark, John Bergdahl is credited as the designer for the Circulating commemorative 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 51,346 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.
- Catalogue reference: Listed as
Sp# K40, KM# 1385. 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.