The commemorative coin was released by the Royal Mint in 1996, to mark the 10th European football championship held in the UK, but now it could be worth an impressive sum
You might think a £2 coin is just worth its face value, but you’d be wrong. As it turns out, one such coin has been valued at a whopping £1,269.05 – so it’s definitely worth rummaging through your change jar.
The sought-after gold coin was struck by the Royal Mint back in 1996 to celebrate the 10th European football championship, which was hosted right here in the UK. The tournament saw matches played in eight major English cities including Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield.
However, the glory wasn’t meant for England as they were knocked out in the semi-finals, while Germany triumphed over the Czech Republic with a 2-1 victory at Wembley. Fast forward nearly three decades, and it turns out there are thousands of these special £2 coins floating around.
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So, keep your eyes peeled as finding one could make you a winner after all. The Britannia Coin Company sheds light on the matter: “These collectable coins were released by The Royal Mint in the run-up to the 1996 UEFA European Championships which was hosted by England.
“The competition – known informally as the Euros – has been held every four years since 1960. The England team didn’t win Euro 96 and haven’t taken home the trophy yet but that hasn’t stopped this commemorative £2 from becoming popular among sporting fans and collectors of British coins.”
Sculptor John Wills is the creative genius behind these distinctive coins, which boast a prominent football motif and ‘1996’ at their heart. On the flip side, they carry a youthful portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Currently, coin aficionados can snag one from dealer Chards for a cool £1,269.05. Meanwhile, eBay traders are pushing variations with price tags of £1,996 and £2,990.
But don’t fret if you’re not in possession of this particular footie-themed treasure; there’s a trove of valuable coins that could be gathering dust in your loft. Take for example a rare 1933 coin that fetched a staggering £140,000, given that only seven are known to exist globally.
Chris Yang, Co-founder of Coins Value, previously told The Star: “In sum, scrutinise your coins, have them identified and graded professionally, and work with experienced numismatists to determine the real value of your coins so that you can sell them for the best price.
“Remember, the thrill of coin collecting isn’t always about striking gold; it’s about connecting with history and uncovering hidden treasures. Your old coin jar might hold more than just spare change – it could be a portal to a fascinating past.”
