2p Coin Designs and Specifications
The United Kingdom 2p coin was introduced on 15 February 1971 as part of the transition to a new decimal currency system, alongside the ½p and 1p coins. To distinguish these from the pre-decimal coinage, each featured the word ‘NEW’ on the reverse, a detail that was removed in 1982. In 1992, rising global metal prices led to a change in composition, with the introduction of copper-plated steel coins. These feature a mild steel core coated in copper, making them magnetic.
Today, the 2p coin remains legal tender for amounts up to 20 pence.
| First Issued | 15th February 1971 |
| Diameter | 25.9mm |
| Weight | 7.12g |
| Thickness | Bronze: 1.85mm Copper-plated steel: 2.03mm |
| Composition | Bronze (97% copper, 2.5% zinc, 0.5% tin) - until September 1992 Copper-plated steel - since September 1992, except in 1998 when the 2p was made in both alloys |
| Obverse Designers | 1971-1984 - Arnold Machin 1985-1997 - Raphael Maklouf 1998-2015 - Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS 2015-2022 - Jody Clark 2022 to date - Martin Jennings |
| Reverse Designers | 1971-2008 - Christopher Ironside 2008-2022 - Matthew Dent 2022 to date - The Royal Mint |
| Edge | Plain |
