1996 Silver Proof PIEDFORT £2 - A Celebration of Football

A 1996 silver proof Piedfort two pound coin struck by the Royal Mint to commemorate the Britain being the hosts of the 10th European Football Championships in 1996.

In 1996, the year England hosted the tenth European Championship, the Royal Mint struck a special £2 coin in celebration of football.  The reverse design, by John Mills, gives the impression of a football, an impression which has been accentuated by the unusual dish of bowl-like effect.  The special year of 1996 is highlighted amid the familiar pattern of the ball, the artist's initials are placed in the top panel and there are sixteen small rings to symoblise each of the teams who competed in the finals, held appropriately in the country that is home to football.  The words TENTH EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP form an incuse edge inscription.

The obverse bears the Queen's portrait by Raphael Maklouf.

The coin is encased in a protective plastic capsule within it’s original Royal Mint presentation case, together with the Certificate of Authenticity.

A superb piece for the collector of Silver Proof coins.

Specifications

Denomination - £2

Alloy - Sterling (.925) Silver

Weight - 31.96 gms

Diameter - 28.40 mm

Issue Limited - 10,000

Piedfort coins are struck on thicker than normal blank.   As their name suggests they are closely associated with France where from the twelfth century they were apparently used by the King as presentation pieces.