In 1804, Richard Trevithick built the first steam locomotive. The engine, which was built at Coalbrookdale in Shropshire, was called "Puffing Billy". It was the first locomotive to use steam to power a train.
Trevithick was a British engineer and inventor who built the first working steam locomotive and is also credited with building the first passenger railway in the world.
History behind the coin
The largest circulating coin denomination in the Pound Sterling is the bi-metallic £2 coin. It was released in 1998. (earlier two pound coins were made of Nickel brass, were intended as commemorative, and did not circulate widely). Being bi-metallic indicates that the coin consists of two distinct parts made of different alloys: an outer ring made of nickel-brass and an inner circle made of cupro-nickel.
The Royal Mint continues to produce an annual "definitive" form of the £2 coin along with a wide range of commemorative coins that circulate for a year and some collector-oriented Non-Circulating Legal Tender (NCLT) £2 coins.
The Technology type £2 served as the standard type between 1997 and 2015 before being replaced by the Britannia type £2.
The commemorative coins by the Royal Mint honour notable events, individuals, and enduring facets of British history and culture.
This circulating commemorative £2 coin honours Richard Trevithick's First Steam Locomotive, which was created 200 years ago.
Richard Trevithick, a Cornish engineer, created the first steam locomotive, which began its historic tour through South Wales in 1804. His creation contributed significantly to the industrial revolution and to the growth of train travel.
The Royal Mint decided to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Trevithick's invention with a new £2 coin issued in 2004, so these £2 coins have been in use for 18 years.
Design of the coin
The Trevithick £2 coin honours Richard Trevithick, whose first steam locomotive made its first trip across South Wales at Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, over 200 years ago.
The artwork was created by Robert Lowe to look like an early Penydarren steam locomotive engine. Just above the locomotive engine, inside the cogwheel that surrounds it, are the words TWO POUNDS. The circumscription is R. TREVITHICK 1804 INVENTION INDUSTRY PROGRESS 2004.
Unlike other two pound coins, this one does not have a normal text inscription along the milling edge. Instead, it features a machined edge with an incuse railroad line design.
The Fourth Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, which was on the two pound coin from 1998 until 2015, is depicted on the currency's obverse.
The diamond tiara that belongs to the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" is worn by the Queen on the two-pound coin. The tiara had been Her Majesty's grandmother's, Queen Mary, wedding gift in 1947.
Just underneath her photo, you may notice the initials IRB, which stand for Ian Rank-Broadley. Her illustrious ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REG FID DEF, which translates from Latin to mean Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith, surrounds her head all around the outer circle.
Mintage of the Coin
According to the Royal Mint's official mintage figures a total of 5,004,500 of the commemorative £2 coin known as the Trevithick was put into circulation in 2004.
There are reportedly 979,085 of these in use right now. Despite being the fifteenth rarest £2 coin in circulation based only on mintage, it is nonetheless regarded as a common coin and quite simple to locate.
The 2004 Trevithick £2 Coin is available in a number of different finishes, including Brilliant Uncirculated, Silver Proof, Silver Proof Piedfort, and Gold Proof struck in 22-carat gold.
Is the 2004 Trevithick £2 Rare?
We like the design of this coin as it is stunningly detailed. However with a mintage of over 5 million it is not necessarily considered a rare coin. Having said this, it is becoming harder to find in your change as it has now been in circulation for 18 years.
It is of a similar mintage as the 2005 Gunpowder Plot £2 which had a mintage of 5,140,500.
How much is the Trevithick Two Pound coin worth?
The average cost for 2004 Trevithick £2 coins on eBay UK is around £3.50. This excludes postage and packaging and fees to be paid by a seller. A coin in better condition would obviously sell for more.
As always, coin condition will determine the price of the coin, with coins that have limited wear and tear will fetch more. This coin is becoming rarer and prices are steadily increasing on this elegant coin.
Where can I buy the 2004 Trevithick £2 Coin?
Copes Coins have this coin in stock so if you would like to buy this coin please click here.
Alternatively, you can buy the 2004 Trevithick £2 coin online on auction sites such as eBay or Amazon but as always, do your homework on the seller to make sure they have good feedback and a good reputation.
Unfortunately, as this coin is now over 22 years old, the Royal Mint no longer stock this coin so it is only available to buy on the secondary market.
Are there any known errors of this coin?
No official errors have been confirmed by the Royal Mint so be wary of sellers saying they have an error version of this coin.
Bit of trivia...
Richard Trevithick was born in 1771 in Illogan, Cornwall. He was tall and athletic and rather than being interested in learning, he was more interested in sports. He grew to a height of six feet two inches, and was known as the "Cornish Giant". A man of prodigious strength, Trevithick was one of the best wrestlers in Cornwall.