Rare £2 coins that can fetch eye-opening sums in UK market and are still in circulation

Scots are often in possession of £2 coins - but they might be worth hundreds to the right collector

If you're lucky enough to come across a rare £2 coin, it could be worth a small fortune.

Most £2 coins in circulation are worth precisely their face value. However, some can go for pretty considerable sums in the collector market.

This is because of rare varieties, minting errors, and limited editions.

Last week, Record Money shared the Royal Mint's rarest £2 coins, including a “hidden treasure” that referenced Scotland.

We are now continuing on this journey with the most valuable £2 coins, as per CYDN, their worth, and how in demand they are.

Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland 2002

Coming in at number one on the Royal Mint's rarest coins with a remarkably low mintage of 485,500, the 2002 Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland £2 coin is a gem with collectors.

Featuring the Ulster Banner alongside a victorious figure, the coin holds a special place in the hearts of collectors and sporting enthusiasts.

The coin often goes for £30-50 in circulated condition, with immaculate uncirculated examples fetching £80-100 or more. Incredibly, many entered general circulation without collectors clocking their significance.

This is because the four Commonwealth Games coins look the same at first glance, leading to many Northern Ireland versions being spent and circulated without being recognised for their uniqueness.

The 2015 Britannia £2

The 2015 Britannia £2 was designed as a standard circulation coin but has a very low mintage of just 650,000 - falling well below the millions produced for standard circulation coins.

The Royal Mint had introduced a new standard £2 design featuring Britannia in 2015, but the following year pivoted to a new design Britannia’s place in British maritime history. Consequently, the 2015 standard Britannia £2 had an unusually short production run, creating what collectors call an “accidental rarity.”

These coins now typically sell for £20-30 in circulated condition, with uncirculated examples fetching £40-50. This is quite something if we remember it is not a commemorative coin.

The 2017 World War I Aviation £2

A manufacturing error caused this coin's value to skyrocket. The 2017 World War I Aviation £2 commemorating the Royal Flying Corps features an airplane propeller.

However, some ended up featuring dodgy propeller blades misaligned.

This created an error known as the “inverted propeller.” A small number of these error coins entered circulation before the mistake was discovered.

Standard versions are worth face value but the wonky propeller versions have sold for £500-700, with some reportedly reaching £1,000.

The 2008 Olympic Handover £2

This coin, 918,000 of which were produced, features the passing of the Olympic flag from hand to hand, ‘Beijing 2008’ on the left and ‘London 2012’ on the right.

Boldly bearing the inscription ‘I CALL UPON THE YOUTH OF THE WORLD’ along its edge, the coin celebrates the young people of the world and the games bringing people together.

These coins typically sell for £10-15 in circulated condition, with uncirculated examples taking home a modest £25-30.

The 2015 Royal Navy £2

The 2015 Navy £2 featured a battleship design with the iconic phrase “The Lord of the Admiralty” along the edge to honour the Royal Navy’s role in World War I.

A small number of these coins were branded with the wrong edge inscription by accident reading “United into one kingdom," an inscription meant for a different commemorative coin.

These error coins are extremely scarce, with perhaps fewer than 100 in existence. Confirmed examples have sold for £600-1,000, depending on condition, making this one of the most valuable modern £2 error coins.

The 1997 Maklouf Portrait Trial £2

Before the bi-metallic £2 coin entered general circulation in 1998, a small number of test pieces were produced in 1997. These can be spotted by their date (1997) combined with the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Raphael Maklouf.

These trial coins weren’t meant for circulation, but a small number found their way into the public’s hands. When authenticated, these coins have sold for £1,000-1,500 - some of the most valuable modern British coins around.

The Mary Rose and King James Bible £2 Coins

Typography errors mar two commemorative issues - the 2011 Mary Rose 500th Anniversary and the 2011