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2016 Shakespeare's Tragedies Skull Two Pound Error Edge Coin

2016 Shakespeare's Tragedies Skull Two Pound Error Edge Circulated Coin Edge Detail

* These images show the type of coin you will receive, not the exact item

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2016 Shakespeare's Tragedies Skull Two Pound Error Edge Circulated Coin Edge Detail
2016 Shakespeare's Tragedies Skull Two Pound Error Edge Circulated Coin Reverse
2016 Shakespeare's Tragedies Skull Two Pound Error Edge Circulated Coin Obverse

Buy a 2016 Tragedies £2 (Error Edge)

£150.00
The Shakespeare's Tragedies £2 coin from 2016 is already one of the UK's most popular circulating coins with its distinctive skull and rose design, but this example features a rare error. While standard Tragedies Two Pounds have an edge inscription that reads 'WHAT A PIECE OF WORK IS MAN' (a line from Shakespeare's Hamlet), this example reads 'FOR KING AND COUNTRY'. That edge should have just been used on the 2016 Army £2 but in a rare mistake from The Royal Mint, it seems like some of these skull coins have been released into circulation with the wrong edge. Mix-ups like this are rare and highly sought after by collectors of UK coins. Please note that we have a small number of these error edge coins in stock and you may not recieve the exact piece pictured.
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Description Specification Summary

Sought-After Skull Design

This coin was released to mark the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death and features a skull and rose design inspired by his tragic plays. The date (2016) is shown below with 'WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE' above.

Portrait Of Queen Elizabeth II

The obverse of this coin features Ian Rank-Broadley's fourth definitive coinage portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, together with an abbreviated inscription that reads 'ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 2 POUNDS ·'.

For King And Country

The edge of Tragedies £2 coins should read 'WHAT A PIECE OF WORK IS MAN', but the edge of this coin instead reads 'FOR KING AND COUNTRY', which is the inscription used on 2016 Army £2 coins.

How Do Error Edges Happen?

Coins are struck by pressing a blank disc between two dies, which forces the metal outwards towards a retaining collar. The collar can be used to impress designs on the edge of coins, including lettering and ridges, known as 'milling'.

How Many 2026 Error Coins Were Released?

It is unknown exactly how many of these rare 2016 error coins were released into circulation, but we have only personally seen a handful over the last few years, indicating that they are very scarce.