In 2016 to commemorate the 400th Anniversary of the Death of William Shakespeare, the Royal Mint released a very Limited Issue William Shakespeare Histories Piedfort £2 Two Pound Silver Proof Coin struck in solid .925 Sterling Silver Certified Slabbed and Graded by PCGS as PR70 DCAM.
The reverse features a Crown and Sword and depicts aspects of William Shakespeare's famous work.
The obverse of all three the coins depict Jody Clark's Fifth Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
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.