The 1997 “Wide Rim” £2 Coin is one of the rarest and most valuable coins in the UK.
This coin was minted to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the modernization of the British navy.
Why is the 1997 “Wide Rim” £2 Coin hard to find?
However, due to an error at the Royal Mint, a small number of these coins were produced with a “Wide Rim” around the edge.
This mistake resulted in a limited number of coins being minted, making them incredibly rare and highly sought after by collectors.
In fact, one of these coins sold at auction for over £1,000 in 2020.
The design of the “Wide Rim” £2 coin features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse side, as with all British coins, and a detailed depiction of a sailing ship on the reverse.
The sailing ship is surrounded by inscriptions that read “1652 THE FIRST DUTCH SHIPS CAPTURED”, “THE GLORIOUS REVOLUTION 1688”, and “1997”.
How did the error occur?
The “Wide Rim” error occurred when the collar, which is used to shape the coin during the minting process, was incorrectly set.
This resulted in the coin being struck with an unusually wide rim around the edge, which is not present on the standard version of the coin.
Despite the mistake, the Royal Mint decided to release the coins into circulation.
It is estimated that only a few thousand of these coins were ever produced, making them extremely rare.
Today, these coins are highly prized by collectors and are considered one of the most valuable and sought-after coins in the UK.
If you happen to come across a 1997 “Wide Rim” £2 coin, it could be worth a significant amount of money.
The rarity and historical significance of this coin make it a fascinating addition to any coin collection.
In conclusion, the 1997 “Wide Rim” £2 Coin is a rare and valuable coin that has captured the attention of coin collectors around the world.
The mistake at the Royal Mint resulted in a limited number of coins being produced, making them highly sought after by collectors.
If you’re lucky enough to come across one of these coins, it could be worth a significant amount of money and would make a fantastic addition to any collection. If you are interested in this coin, take a look at St Paul’s Cathederal two pound coins available.