Coin
2 Pounds - Charles III 200 years of Zoological Society of London; Silver (2026) — United Kingdom
United Kingdom • 2026
Overview
A silver proof 2 Pounds coin of the United Kingdom commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Zoological Society of London. Issued in 2026 under King Charles III, the obverse features his uncrowned portrait by Martin Jennings, while the reverse depicts a snail, pigeon, and tiger with a globe, designed by Jonathan Olliffe. Struck in .9167 silver with a fine gold-plated outer ring, this limited edition piece has a mintage of 750. Struck as Proof.
Specifications
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Year
- 2026
- Composition
- Silver (.9167) (Fine gold-plated outer ring)
- Weight
- 12 g
- Diameter
- 28.4 mm
- Thickness
- 2.5 mm
- Mint
- Royal Mint, Llantrisant, United Kingdom (1968-date)
- Shape
- Round
- Technique
- Milled
- Issuer
- United Kingdom
Design details
Obverse
Uncrowned portrait of King Charles III left, legend around. Script: Latin Lettering: CHARLES III·D·G·REX·F·D·2 POUNDS·2026· MJ Unabridged legend: Charles III Dei Gratia Rex Fidei Defensor Translation: Charles III by the Grace of God King Defender of the Faith Designer: Martin Jennings
Reverse
Depiction of a snail, pigeon and tiger left with a globe in the background, legend at right. Script: Latin Lettering: 1826 · ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON · 2026 JO Designer: Jonathan Olliffe
Collector insights
- Design heritage: Martin Jennings, Jonathan Olliffe 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 750 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.
- Precious metal content: Silver (.9167) (Fine gold-plated outer ring) — bullion value provides a price floor, and many circulated examples were melted during the 1979–1980 and post-2010 silver spikes, reducing the surviving population.
Related pieces
Explore more
Browse more items in the full catalog or view United Kingdom in the country guide.