British 2 Pence Coins

[SilverDragon72]

I was looking at my small container of miscellaneous coins and found I have a couple of British 2 pence coins. I figured they were made of copper, but I wasn't sure of the percentage. It turns out they are Bronze (approx 97% copper and some zinc). Hmm. Good to save these if I come across any more in my coin hunting travels. I'll have to check my LCS foreign coin bin next time I'm there to see if I can find anymore.

[henrysmedford]

From -- http://www.currencydebasement.com/legal-tender&c=GBP
2 Pence 1971-1991, 1998-1999[1] 7.12g 97% Copper, 2.5% Zinc,.5% Tin

Melt $0.05659 Face $0.03166

[SilverDragon72]

Nice! I'll have to see if I can aquire more of these at a fair price.

[AGgressive Metal]

Yeah, 1971-1991 are the ones you want. I guess they reverted to copper again for 1998-1999 according to the info henrymedford linked, I think I heard that before but forgot to keep it in mind while sorting.

Copper Cave sells them in the coin bullion category.

[henrysmedford]

Yeah, 1971-1991 are the ones you want. I guess they reverted to copper again for 1998-1999 according to the info henrymedford linked, I think I heard that before but forgot to keep it in mind while sorting.

Copper Cave sells them in the coin bullion category.

Just more info from the UK mint http://www.royalmint.com/en/discover/uk-coins/coin-design-and-specifications/two-pence-coin

First Issued 15 February 1971
Specifications
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 Portrait of Her Majesty the Queen
1971-1984 Arnold Machin
1985-1997 - Raphael Maklouf
1998 to date - Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS
Reverse
Designers 1971-2008 - Christopher Ironside
2008 - Matthew Dent
Edge Plain
Background Information

The United Kingdom 2p coin was introduced on the 15 February 1971 with the introduction of a new decimal currency system. The other two coins issued at this time were the 1/2p and 1p coins.

To avoid confusion between the old and new coinage all three coins had the word 'NEW' incorporated into the reverse design. This was subsequently removed in 1982.

The first copper-plated steel 2p coins were struck in 1992. The reason for this change was the increase in the price of metals on the world markets. The coins have a mild steel core and are electroplated with copper - consequently they are magnetic.

The 2p coin is legal tender for amounts up to 20p.

[SilverDragon72]

Nice! I'll have to see if I can aquire more of these at a fair price.

Well, I was able to get my hands on a few of these today!

[uthminsta]

Copper-plated steel - since September 1992, except in 1998 when the 2p was made in both alloys

I was not aware of this. Wonder which is in my collection? A magnet should tell me...

[henrysmedford]

Copper-plated steel - since September 1992, except in 1998 when the 2p was made in both alloys

I was not aware of this. Wonder which is in my collection? A magnet should tell me...

You are getting old see -- http://realcent.org/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=14137&p=136195&hilit=September+1992#p136199

[uthminsta]

Crud. Too bad there isn't a "slapping my forehead" emoticon over there. I remember now. I haven't found one, because I checked all mine with a magnet. No 98's in the copper pile.