I was surprised to find that the Mint has issued 4 different Britannia £2 coins for 2022 – the normal circulating bi-metallic coin, a bullion coin with 1 oz silver in BU format, a Proof 1 oz coin, with a different design to the bullion coin, and an Exclusive Edition BU 1oz coin with a different design again. Recently I decided to follow the development of Britannia from 1665 on the silver pattern farthing of Charles II, to the modern Britannias issued by the Royal Mint as a £2 coin. As a result I now collect silver pennies, groats and shillings from Middle Anglo Saxon times to the onset of decimalization.

It became impossible to keep up with the new issues. My interest in Commonwealth crowns waned in the early 70s as more and more countries issued commemorative crown sized coins (25p after decimalization, and later £5) with many issuing a BU coin in Cu-Ni, and a proof version in 0.925 Ag. I tried to spend the ones I didn’t want, but no one would accept them and they were returned to the bank for 5 shillings each. One of my first coins given as a gift was a Churchill Crown – I obtained several from the bank with a view to selecting the best (with fewest bag marks).

I started collecting coins in my teens, with an interest in British and Commonwealth crowns. They are my personal opinions I would be interested to hear what other collectors feel on this subject. The following commentaries result from my disillusionment with the current issues of large quantities of commemorative and investment coinage produced by various mints for collectors.

Thoughts on Collecting Modern Coins by Andy Briggs 'Disclaimer'

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