William Shakespeare 2 Pound Coin 2016

Hey there, history buffs and coin collectors! Have you heard about the William Shakespeare 2 Pound Coin from 2016? If not, you're in for a treat! Let's dive into this Bard-tastic tale, shall we?

Why the Fuss?

Well, first off, it's not every day we celebrate a 400th birthday with a shiny new coin! That's right, 2016 marked the quadricentennial of Shakespeare's death, and the Royal Mint thought, "Hey, let's honor the guy who gave us 'To be, or not to be' with some serious bling!"

But this isn't just any coin. Oh no, this is a two-pound coin! That's like, super-sized coin territory. It's like the Royal Mint said, "Let's make a coin so big, even the Bard himself would be impressed!"

Meet the Bard

Now, you might be wondering, "Who's this Shakespeare fella, and why's he such a big deal?" Well, grab a seat, 'cause story time's about to begin!

William Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, a town that's now as famous for its connection to the Bard as it is for its, ahem, unique pronunciation. Young Will grew up to become a playwright, poet, and actor, and he pretty much dominated the English stage in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.

He gave us classics like Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. He coined phrases we still use today, like "break the ice," "wild goose chase," and "in my mind's eye." And he made love stories so romantic, even the most cynical among us can't help but swoon.

Designing the Coin

So, back to that coin. The Royal Mint wanted to create something special, something that would do justice to the great man himself. And boy, did they deliver!

The obverse (that's the front, for the uninitiated) features a rather dashing portrait of Shakespeare, designed by Royal Mint engraver Jody Clark. It's based on the famous Droeshout engraving from the First Folio, the first collected edition of Shakespeare's plays.

2016 William Shakespeare £2 Coin: Jester, Skull & Crown Editions.

The reverse, designed by John Bergdahl, is a real showstopper. It depicts Shakespeare's quill pen, surrounded by a flourish of words and phrases from his works. It's like a literary love letter to the Bard, all wrapped up in one beautiful coin.

Why You Should Care

Now, you might be thinking, "That's all well and good, but why should I care about some old coin?" Well, let me tell you, friend, there's a whole world of fun and learning waiting for you in the world of numismatics (that's just a fancy word for coin collecting, don't you worry!).

Collecting coins can be a fascinating hobby. It's like a treasure hunt, where the treasures are, well, coins. You can learn about history, art, and even a bit of science. And who knows? You might just find yourself getting hooked on the Bard's words, too. After all, there's a reason his plays have stood the test of time.

So, go on, treat yourself. Track down that Shakespeare coin, hold it in your hands, and let the magic of the Bard fill you with wonder. You never know, you might just find yourself inspired to learn more about the man who gave us so many words to live by.

And remember, as Shakespeare himself might say, "Coin-collecting is the spice of life, and I am but a humble coin in the great collection of time." Or something like that. I'm no Shakespeare, after all!

Keep collecting, keep learning, and most importantly, keep having fun!