William Shakespeare Two Pound Coin Skull

Shakespeare's Skull: The Two Pound Coin Twist!

Alright, gather 'round, folks! We've got a tale to tell, a story that's worth its weight in, well, two pound coins. You might've heard of this guy, William Shakespeare. Yeah, yeah, the guy who wrote all those plays and sonnets. But did you know he's got a coin collection that's out of this world? Or should we say, out of this grave?

Meet the Shakespeare Two Pound Coin

So, there's this two pound coin, right? Launched by the Royal Mint in 2016, it's no ordinary coin. It's got Shakespeare's face on one side, and on the other? Well, that's where things get a tad... morbidly fascinating.

You see, the reverse side features a rather striking image. It's a skull, folks! A skull with a quill pen resting jauntily on top. Now, why would they put a skull on a coin? And why the quill? Let's dive in!

Why a Skull, You Ask?

Alright, so Shakespeare's plays are full of skulls. Remember Yorick's skull in 'Hamlet'? But this coin's skull isn't just any skull. It's a nod to the Bard himself. You see, Shakespeare's actual skull is believed to have been stolen from his grave in Stratford-upon-Avon. Some say it ended up in the hands of a collector, others say it's been lost to time. But the coin's skull is a reminder of this mysterious tale.

And the quill? Well, that's a no-brainer. It's a symbol of Shakespeare's literary genius. After all, the man wrote some 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and a bunch of other stuff. That's a lot of ink, folks!

Fun Fact: The Coin's Designer

Now, you might be wondering who designed this fascinating coin. It was a lady by the name of Jody Clark. She's the youngest designer to have ever designed a UK coin, and she's the first woman to design a UK coin portrait since 1893. Pretty impressive, huh?

But here's where it gets even more interesting. Clark designed the coin while she was still a student at the Royal Mint's Engraving School. Talk about a student making the grade!

Shakespeare Skull Coin

Why We Love This Coin

So, why do we love this coin? Well, aside from the fact that it's got a skull on it (which is pretty cool, let's face it), it's a great reminder of Shakespeare's enduring legacy. It's a fun, quirky way to celebrate his life and work.

Plus, it's a great conversation starter. Next time you're at a pub, whip out this coin and watch the reactions. It's a sure-fire way to make new friends (or at least, get some interesting looks!).

Want Your Own Shakespeare Two Pound Coin?

So, you're sold, right? You want your own Shakespeare two pound coin. Well, you're in luck! The Royal Mint still sells these coins. You can get them in various finishes, from brilliant uncirculated to silver proof. Fancy!

But remember, folks, these coins are collectibles. So, don't go spending them on your pint at the pub. Unless, of course, you want to make a real impression on the barkeep!

And there you have it, folks. The tale of the Shakespeare two pound coin. Isn't history fun?