In 2016 to commemorate the 400th Anniversary of the Death of William Shakespeare, the Royal Mint released a very Limited Issue William Shakespeare Tragedies Piedfort £2 Two Pound Silver Proof Coin struck in solid .925 Sterling Silver.
The reverse features a Rose and Skull 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.
Royal Mint Product Code - UK16STPF
Limited Mintage Presentation of 679 Coins Worldwide
Piedfort Double the Thickness and Weight of its Standard Counterpart
Struck to Royal Mint's Proof Quality in Solid .925 Sterling Silver
Commemorating the 400th Anniversary of William Shakespeare - Tragedies
