Owner Comments:
This is the first year (2015) and the largest denomination (2 pounds) of a coin in circulation featuring the 5th definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Royal Mint engraver Jody Clark. There are 5 pound coins minted in business strike and included in the mint sets sold by the mint, but these are not meant for circulation and are struck as commemoratives. There also were coins minted in 2015 meant for circulation with the older portrait designed by Ian Rank-Broadley (IRB), which means the first year and last year of each portrait will circulate alongside each other.
Jody Clark won a contest of anonymously submitted designs for the 5th definitive portrait of the Queen and is the first Royal Mint engraver in 100 years to have their design chosen for a royal portrait. The reception of the portrait was mixed when reading through the comments on the Royal Mint's website announcement page. Some think it is too similar to the IRB design - more of an update of his portrait than a new design - and others thought it was exceptionally well done, staying true to the Queen's likeness. One interesting aspect of this portrait is that Queen Elizabeth II seems to have a smirk and this gives her a warmer appearance. Another unique aspect of this portrait is that Clark created it entirely digitally. The initial renderings of the design feature the Queen with a necklace, but this is absent from the image that graces British coinage.
While this portrait will now feature on all coinage from the royal mint starting in 2015, this particular coin is important for a few other reasons. First off, it is a coin meant for circulation, which means millions of people will admire, handle, and spend this little pocket size work of art by Jody Clark. Also, there were only 650,000 2 Pound coins featuring the Britannia design struck. This makes it as of March 2017 the 4th rarest coin produced by the Royal Mint meant for circulation and one of 19 different coin variations the royal mint produced in 2015 for circulating coinage. Finally, this is a reappearance for Lady Britannia back into circulation. The last time an image of Britannia appeared on British pocket change was in 2008 on a 50 Pence coin. The edge of the 2 pound Britannia coins have an inscription which states QUATUOR MARIA VINDICO (I will claim the four seas).