The Royal Mint Experience, based in Llantrisant, South Wales has today revealed the first £2 coin of the year that members of the public can strike themselves as part of their visit from 6th January. The £2 coin will also bear His Majesty The King’s official coin portrait.
The reverse of the £2 coin features a design to celebrate British physician Edward Jenner, who pioneered the concept of vaccines. Coin striking is an experience loved by the thousands of visitors who come to The Royal Mint Experience each year from across the globe. To this date an extraordinary 227,891 coins have been struck by visitors since its opening in 2016.
Previously, visitors have been able to strike their own Memorial Coin for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and as well as the spellbinding Harry Potter 50p.
This is the first-time members of the public will strike a £2 coin with the obverse bearing King Charles III’s portrait, giving them the opportunity to be a part of a momentous occasion in UK coinage history and take home a unique souvenir.
Dan Johnson, Visitor Attraction Manager said: “The change of monarch is such a significant occasion in UK history, and we are delighted to be able to welcome visitors to The Royal Mint Experience and offer them the opportunity to be a part of this momentous historical occasion. Not only is it a wonderful opportunity for members of the public to collect a £2 coin bearing King Charles III portrait, but it is an exclusive chance for them to strike and own a coin featuring a reverse design celebrating Edward Jenner which is not yet available for collectors to purchase.”
The Royal Mint Experience was recently awarded ‘Best Guided Tour’ at the prestigious Group Leisure and Travel Awards. It was the only Welsh attraction in the shortlist for ‘Best Guided Tour’, featuring alongside Kensington Palace, The London Dungeon, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and RoyalAlbert Hall.
The Royal Mint Experience welcomes around 200,000 visitors each year. The unique tour takes visitors ‘behind the scenes’ of coin making, followed by an interactive exhibition exploring 1,100 years of The Royal Mint’s history. Visitors will also have the unique experience of seeing The Royal Mint’s workforce producing official UK coins as well as coins for other countries.
To book tickets to The Royal Mint Experience, please visit The Royal Mint’s website. Visitors will be charged an additional £7.50 to strike their own coin as part of their tour.
The £2 coin celebrating Edward Jenner will also be available to purchase from The Royal Mint’s website at 9am 26th January. The coin will be available in a range of precious metal finishes as well as a Brilliant Uncirculated edition.
