Great Britain 1979 2 pence

from the Stonecat Collection

This two new pence was introduced in 1971 as part of the decimal reform. It had no equivalent in the sterling coinage but was worth about five pence. So many were struck in 1971 that no more were made for circulation until 1975. This design was used until 1981 but subsequent mintages were much more modest. It was converted to copper-plated steel in 1992. A silver halfgroat (KM 899) was struck for the Maundy sets.

Recorded mintage: 260,200,000 plus 81,000 proofs.

Specification: bronze, 7.12 g, 25.9 mm diameter, plain edge, designed by Arnold Machin and Christopher Ironside.

Catalog reference: KM 916.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• Lobel, Richard, Mark Davidson, Allan Hailstone and Eleni Calligas, Coincraft's Standard Catalogue of English and UK Coins, 1066 to Date, London: Coincraft, 1995.
• Skingley, Philip, ed., Standard Catalogue of British Coins: Coins of England & the United Kingdom, 46th edition, London: Spink & Son, 2011.

Link to:

• 1976 2 new pence
• 1979 5 new pence
• 1979 10 new pence
• 1979 sovereign
• 1981 new penny
• 1981 2 new pence
• Coins and currency dated 1979
• return to coins of Great Britain