Picture this: you're sorting through your loose change after a trip to the shops, and suddenly there it is—a skull staring back at you from a £2 coin. Not just any skull, mind you, but one that whispers of Hamlet's soliloquy, Macbeth's ambition, and Othello's jealousy. The 2016 Shakespeare Tragedies £2 coin transforms your pocket change into a portal to the Globe Theatre, where the greatest tragic tales ever told first came to life.
Chapter 1
The Story Behind the Coin
Four hundred years after William Shakespeare's death in 1616, Britain faced a delightful dilemma: how do you properly honor the man who gave the world its most enduring stories? The Royal Mint's answer was inspired—create not one, but three commemorative £2 coins celebrating different aspects of the Bard's genius. While his comedies and histories each earned their own tribute, it was the tragedies coin that captured the most attention with its hauntingly beautiful design.
Shakespeare's tragic works—from the tortured Danish prince in Hamlet to the ambitious Scottish general in Macbeth—have shaped our understanding of human nature for centuries. These weren't just plays; they were mirrors held up to society, reflecting our deepest fears, desires, and moral struggles. The Royal Mint recognized that these timeless themes deserved a timeless tribute, something that would circulate through British pockets as a daily reminder of our shared literary heritage.
The Royal Mint transformed pocket change into a portal to the Globe Theatre, where the greatest tragic tales ever told first came to life.
Chapter 2
The Design
The reverse design is nothing short of brilliant in its simplicity—a single skull dominates the coin's face, immediately evoking Hamlet's famous graveyard scene with poor Yorick's remains. But look closer, and you'll notice the intricate details that elevate this from mere symbol to artistic statement. The skull isn't just decorative; it's positioned as the centerpiece of mortality itself, surrounded by the inscription that reminds us we're looking at a celebration of Shakespeare's tragic masterpieces.
What makes this design particularly clever is how it manages to represent multiple tragedies at once. While the skull obviously nods to Hamlet, the themes of death, ambition, and human frailty it represents run through Macbeth, King Lear, Othello, and Romeo and Juliet alike. The Royal Mint's designers understood that Shakespeare's genius lay not just in individual stories, but in his ability to explore the universal human condition—and they've captured that perfectly in this small but powerful canvas.
The skull isn't just decorative; it's positioned as the centerpiece of mortality itself, surrounded by the inscription that reminds us we're looking at a celebration of Shakespeare's tragic masterpieces.
Obverse & reverse — click to flip
Chapter 3
Collector's Corner
Mintage
4,615,000
coins struck
Florin House Rarity
Uncommon
classification
Value
£2.50
estimated market
With over 4.6 million coins minted, the Shakespeare Tragedies £2 sits in that sweet spot collectors love—common enough to be affordable, but uncommon enough to feel special when you spot one. You're more likely to find this coin in circulation than many commemoratives, making it perfect for both seasoned numismatists and newcomers to the hobby. The relatively modest premium over face value means you can build a meaningful collection without breaking the bank.
What's particularly appealing about this coin is its crossover appeal. Literature enthusiasts who might never consider themselves coin collectors find themselves drawn to its cultural significance, while traditional numismatists appreciate its place in the broader story of British commemorative coinage. Keep an eye out for coins in the best possible condition—while circulated examples are readily available, finding one with crisp, unmarked surfaces will give you the most satisfaction when examining those intricate design details.
Literature enthusiasts who might never consider themselves coin collectors find themselves drawn to its cultural significance.
Chapter 4
Did You Know?
Shakespeare invented over 1,700 words that we still use today, including 'assassination', 'lonely', and 'bedroom'
The 2016 Shakespeare coins were the first UK commemorative series to celebrate a single author with multiple denominations
Hamlet's 'Alas, poor Yorick' scene was inspired by real skulls Shakespeare likely encountered in London's plague-ravaged graveyards
This coin entered circulation during the same year that the newly discovered Shakespeare First Folio was valued at over £4 million
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