HMS Beagle 200th Anniversary
Launched in 1820, HMS Beagle was a relatively modest ten-gun brig-sloop that first set sail in 1826, surveying the coastlines of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego.
It was the ship's second voyage, between 1831 and 1836, that secured its place in history. On board was Charles Darwin, a young Cambridge graduate who would distinguish himself during the journey as a geologist and fossil collector. His account of the expedition, published in 1839 as Journal and Remarks and later widely known as The Voyage of the Beagle, brought him considerable public recognition.
The observations Darwin made across four continents would go on to form the foundation of his theory of evolution by natural selection. The Beagle was never a remarkable vessel in its construction, but its legacy is unmatched in scientific history.
William Webb's Reverse Design
To mark 200 years since the Beagle's first voyage, The Royal Mint issued a collection of commemorative Two Pound coins featuring a reverse design by William Webb.
The design depicts the ship in full sail, framed by a decorative border populated with Galapagos tortoises and marine iguanas entwined in tropical vines, a nod to the wildlife Darwin famously encountered and studied during the voyage. The coin's edge bears the inscription THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE, referencing Darwin's 1839 publication.
The obverse carries Martin Jennings' definitive coinage portrait of King Charles III, along with the date and the denomination.
The HMS Beagle £2 Range
The HMS Beagle £2 coins were not released into general circulation and are available exclusively in collectable brilliant uncirculated and proof finishes.
Coins from this series were also included in the 2026 Annual Sets, alongside other key commemorative designs for the year, including the ZSL 200th Anniversary £2, the Grand Prix Centenary 50p, The King's Trust 50p, and the Queen Elizabeth II Centenary £5.
