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2016 Great Fire Of London 1666 Two Pound Silver Proof Coin

UK16GFSP 2016 Great Fire Of London 1666 Two Pound Silver Proof Coin Boxed

Buy a 2016 Great Fire Of London 1666 Two Pound Silver Proof Coin

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£59.00
The Great Fire of London began in September 1666 on Pudding Lane. It was probably caused by an oven which had not been fully extinguished. A combination of a strong wind from the east, a summer of drought, and London’s wooden architecture meant that flames spread exceptionally quickly. People were forced to flee from the city, or take to the Thames in boats to escape the burning buildings. Samuel Pepys described the event in his diary: ‘nobody, to my sight, endeavouring to quench it, but to remove their foods, and leave all to the fire.’ The history of The Royal Mint is also linked with the Great Fire. At that time, the institution was situated in the Tower of London, one of the city’s few secure stone buildings. Those made homeless and displaced by the fire sought refuge in the Tower, and for a time it acted as a secure facility for valuable assets of businesses and individuals. Three hundred and fifty years later, The Royal Mint commissioned a series of Two Pound coins to commemorate this tragic event, including this silver proof example. Designed by Aaron Clark, it features a view from the Thames; a sight many who took refuge on the water would have faced of smoke and flames claiming vast swathes of the city sky line. Clark uses a line effect for the billowing clouds of smoke, and deliberately extends them beyond the border of the central ring to give a sense of uncontrollability and chaos. The legend spells ‘1666 THE GREAT FIRE OF LONDON 2016.’ Around the edge of the coin is a transcription summarising the catastrophe: ‘THE WHOLE CITY IN DREADFUL FLAMES.’ The obverse design features Jody Clark’s portrait of Her Majesty the Queen, the fifth official effigy. This £2 comes in its original packaging from The Royal Mint, with its numbered certificate of authenticity. Weighing 12.00 grams, it is struck in .925 sterling silver, with a band of fine gold plating around the edge. Just 1,649 were issued in this presentation.
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Obverse

Portrait of Her Majesty the Queen by Jody Clark. Fifth official effigy. Legend around: 'ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF'.

Reverse

Scene from the Thames of boats in front of London skyline. Smoke and flames rising from city. Legend: '1666 THE GREAT FIRE OF LONDON 2016 · TWO POUNDS'. Artist: Aaron West.

Specification

12.00 grams of .925 sterling silver with band of fine gold plating. Diameter 28.40 millimetres. Face value £2 / Two Pound.

Presentation

One of 1,649 in this presentation. Presented in the original box with its numbered certificate of authenticity. 

Condition

The images provided of this product are stock photos. The coin you receive will be from the same issue and will have the same specifications. Some modern UK coins naturally develop toning or milk spots over time and these features may be present on the coin you receive. We cannot exchange coins displaying toning or milkspots.

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