In 2013, to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the London Underground, the Royal Mint released a Limited Issue London Underground Roundel Piedfort £2 Two Pound Silver Proof Coin struck in solid .925 Sterling Silver.
The reverse designed by Edwina Ellis depicts the London Underground Roundel Logo while the obverse design is the stunning portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank Broadley.
These legal tender coins have been struck to proof quality using specially prepared dies and highly polished blanks.
Piedforts are coins which have been specially struck on thicker than normal blanks.
As their name suggests they are closely associated with France, where from the twelfth century they were apparently issued by the Kings as presentation pieces.
In Britain the practice of striking piedforts is later and less frequent, but medieval and Tudor examples are known.