The 2011 King James Bible £2 Coin: A Numismatic Testament
Introduction
The year 2011 marked a significant milestone—the 400th anniversary of the printing of the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible. To commemorate this literary and spiritual legacy, the Royal Mint minted the 2011 King James Bible £2 coin. This numismatic treasure not only celebrates the enduring influence of the King James Version but also serves as a tangible link between faith, history, and coinage.
Few books have had such an impact on the world as the King James Bible, a cornerstone of our culture and language. First published in 1611, its influence on the English language is still evident today and it remains one of the best-loved Bible translations. The spirit of the King James Bible is captured on the £2 coin celebrating its 400th anniversary.
Cleverly reminding us that printing concerns were at the heart of the matter in 1611, the reverse design displays the first words from the book of John.
History of the coin
In 1604, King James I of England convened the Hampton Court Conference to address religious tensions between the Bishops and the Puritans. Amidst these discussions, an opportunity arose—to commission an updated translation of the Bible. The goal was to create a version that would be accessible, authoritative, and enduring.
A team of 47 scholars, including theologians, linguists, and poets, embarked on the monumental task of translating the Bible which combined scholarly rigor with poetic beauty. Its language resonated with the majesty of the English Renaissance. It became the standard English Bible for centuries, influencing literature, culture, and religious thought.
Design of the coin
The 2011 King James Bible £2 coin features a captivating reverse, designed by Paul Stafford and Benjamin Wright, that pays homage to the 400th anniversary of the printing of the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible.
The reverse features the words “In the beginning was the Word” inscribed on the right side. These words replicate the black letter typeface used in the first edition of the Bible’s printing.
The same inscription appears on the left in reverse, as if each letter is on a type block. This image depicts the printing process of the Bible—a nod to its historical significance.
An arc at the top of the reverse side reads “KING JAMES BIBLE,” emphasizing the central theme.
The bottom centre displays the dates “1611-2011,” signifying the 400 years the KJV has been in print.
The edge bears the inscription “THE AUTHORISED VERSION.”
The obverse of the coin features the Fourth Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right that appeared on the Two-Pound coin from 1998 to 2015. She is wearing the “Girls of Great Britain and Ireland” diamond tiara. The infamous tiara was a wedding gift from Her Majesty’s grandmother, Queen Mary, in 1947.
The initials IRB are present just beneath her portrait which stand for the artist Ian Rank-Broadley. Also below her head on the outer ring, centred on the bottom is the date 2011.
Surrounding her head all around the outer circle is her legendary ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REG FID DEF which translates from Latin to mean Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith.
The Fourth Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, in this iteration facing right, is depicted on the coin's obverse. From 1998 to 2015, this design was featured on the two pound coin.
Her Majesty's grandmother, Queen Mary, gave her the diamond tiara known as the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" as a wedding present in 1947.
Her image is immediately followed by the letters IRB, which stand for the initials of artist Ian Rank-Broadley.
The famous ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REG FID DEF, which translates from Latin to read Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith, is inscribed around her head and all the way around the outer circle.
Mintage of the Coin
Only 975 2011 King James Bible £2 coins were minted and entered circulation in 2011. A mintage of just over 1 million is considered very low for a £2 coin and is similar mintage to the 2011 Mary Rose £2 coin released in the same year which had a mintage of only 1,040,000
Additional versions were minted of the 2011 King James Bible £2 coin namely 56,268 Uncirculated coins in a presentation folder, 4,494 Silver Proofs, 2,394 Silver Piedfort Proofs and just 355 Gold Proof versions.
How rare is the 2011 King James Bible £2 Coin?
In terms of rarity, the King James Bible £2 is considered to be one of the rarest £2 coins in circulation due to its low mintage of just under 1 million.
Although you are still able to find one in your change, the King James Bible £2 coin has been in circulation for over 13 years now, and with coin collectors adding them to their collection thus taking them out of circulation, these coins are becoming harder and harder to find. If you do happen to find one, it is definitely worth hanging on to.
How much is the 2011 King James Bible Two Pound coin worth?
The 2011 King James Bible £2 coin is worth around £8.50 in good condition, which is considerably more than face value and the value of this coin is steadily increasing.
Where can I buy the 2011 King James Bible £2 Coin?
You can buy the 2011 King James Bible £2 coin online on auction sites such as eBay or Amazon but please ensure you look at all the information and reputation of the seller.
Alternatively, you can buy it from us by clicking here.
Unfortunately, as this coin is now 13 years old, the Royal Mint no longer stocks this coin so it is only available to buy on the secondary market.
Are there any known errors of this coin?
The Royal Mint has not confirmed any official errors for this coin so please beware of any sellers trying to inflate the selling price by claiming they have an error coin.
The writing on the side of the coin can be either one way or the other and there is an equal chance of it being either upside down or the other way, it is not an error.
Bit of trivia...
Of the many books, chapters, and verses within the King James Bible, the length of each is highly variable. The Book of Psalms contains 150 chapters, and Psalm 119 within contains 176 verses. For the longest verse, you'll have to look to Esther 8:9, which contains 78 words