Picture this: you're sorting through your loose change and suddenly spot something extraordinary—a £2 coin that's practically humming with centuries of laughter, wit, and theatrical magic. The 2016 Shakespeare Comedies coin isn't just legal tender; it's a tiny stage where the greatest playwright in English literature takes his final bow. Four hundred years after his death, Shakespeare's comedies were still making people smile, and the Royal Mint decided it was high time our currency reflected that joy.
Chapter 1
The Story Behind the Coin
In 2016, Britain faced a delightful dilemma: how do you properly honor the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death? The answer came in the form of not one, but three commemorative £2 coins, each celebrating a different aspect of the Bard's genius. While his tragedies and histories received their due recognition, it was the comedies coin that truly captured something special—the enduring power of laughter to unite us across centuries.
The Royal Mint's decision to dedicate an entire coin to Shakespeare's comedies was both bold and brilliant. After all, these weren't just any old plays gathering dust in libraries. Works like 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' 'Much Ado About Nothing,' and 'Twelfth Night' were still packing theaters, inspiring films, and making audiences roar with laughter exactly as they had in Shakespeare's day. By putting comedy center stage on our currency, Britain was making a statement: humor isn't frivolous—it's fundamental to who we are.
By putting comedy center stage on our currency, Britain was making a statement: humor isn't frivolous—it's fundamental to who we are.
Chapter 2
The Design
The reverse design of the Shakespeare Comedies coin is a masterclass in storytelling through symbolism. The Royal Mint's designers faced the challenge of representing the entire breadth of Shakespearean comedy in a space smaller than a biscuit, and they rose to the occasion magnificently. The design weaves together theatrical elements that would be instantly recognizable to any lover of the stage, creating a visual feast that rewards close examination.
What makes this design particularly clever is how it captures the essence of comedy without relying on specific characters or scenes. Instead, it evokes the very spirit of Shakespearean humor—the clever wordplay, the mistaken identities, the joyous celebrations that conclude his comedic masterpieces. Every element has been carefully chosen to represent not just the plays themselves, but the laughter and delight they've brought to audiences for over four centuries.
The design weaves together theatrical elements that would be instantly recognizable to any lover of the stage, creating a visual feast that rewards close examination.
Obverse & reverse — click to flip
Chapter 3
Collector's Corner
Mintage
4,355,000
coins struck
Florin House Rarity
Uncommon
classification
Value
£2.00
estimated market
With over 4.3 million examples minted, the Shakespeare Comedies coin sits in that sweet spot for collectors—common enough to be affordable, but uncommon enough to feel special when you find one. It's currently valued at face value, making it an ideal entry point for new collectors or a satisfying completion piece for Shakespeare enthusiasts. The coin's accessibility means you might still discover one in your change, though they're becoming increasingly scarce in everyday circulation.
What makes this coin particularly appealing to collectors is its crossover potential. It attracts not only numismatists but also literature lovers, theater enthusiasts, and anyone with an appreciation for British cultural heritage. As we move further away from 2016, these coins are likely to become more sought after, especially in uncirculated condition. Smart collectors are keeping an eye out for pristine examples, as the combination of cultural significance and broad appeal could drive future demand.
It attracts not only numismatists but also literature lovers, theater enthusiasts, and anyone with an appreciation for British cultural heritage.
Chapter 4
Did You Know?
Shakespeare invented over 1,700 words that we still use today, including 'eyeball,' 'fashionable,' and 'lonely'
The 2016 Shakespeare anniversary coins were the first £2 coins to celebrate a literary figure in British numismatic history
Shakespeare's comedies typically end with weddings—he wrote more marriage scenes than any other playwright of his era
This coin was released alongside special stamps, making 2016 a bonanza year for Shakespeare-themed British collectibles
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