A long, long time ago in a Welsh town far, far away…. a trial two pound coin was created. And on this was the ship of the Pilgrim Fathers, ‘The Mayflower’. The year was 1994. But this was not the first time this vessel had graced the surface of a coin. To begin with there had been a Isle of Man crown some twelve years before.
This was also not going to be the last time we had the ‘Mayflower’ on our coinage. And that brings us to where we are today with our big fight. Because this bout of fisticuffs is based around these two contenders – the UK ‘Mayflower’ two pound coin and the Isle of Man ‘Mayflower’ two pound coin…. both of which were issued in 2020.
Both designs are pretty good. The UK issue makes full use of surface space and is constructed with jaunty angles and lines. The IOM one is far more traditional in looks and makes you feel that a whole lot has been crammed into a small illustration.
So far so good. Both are ticking the right boxes. But this fight is going to be won in a whole different way….
You see one of these coins instantly has a clear advantage – and that coin is the Isle of Man one. And the advantage it has is that it went into circulation, as simple as that. Some people may think this is unfair but I don’t. You see most collectors of UK coins are kind of bored with barely anything being circulated anymore. Mint announced that two pound coins would remain as ‘purchase only’ for years but barely any fifty pences are put out there either. At least none that are worth bothering with. The only designs we have had in recent years have been things like ‘Diversity’, ‘Brexit’ and ‘Paddington’. Please try to support me, I am growing bored and weary at the very thought….
And there we have it. Possibly the most straightforward result yet, but not in the way many readers would have expected! But I am the judge in ‘The Coin Arena’ so all is good 😉
© Article and images (except where stated) copyright Mik Smith 2022
