United Kingdom: New commemorative £2 coins issued honouring novelist Sir Walter Scott, one of the most influential Scots in history

Hover to zoom.

The Royal Mint has released new Brilliant Uncirculated base metal and precious metal £2 commemorative coins honouring Sir Walter Scott (1771–1832), whose impact on both Scottish and English literature is immeasurable. His prolific writings are renowned for popularising historical fiction while transforming a landscape perceived as wild and mysterious into something truly sublime. Scott offered the reader a picturesque Scotland graced with magnificent glens and beautiful lochs. Scott has been immortalised in monuments from Glasgow to New York and as a tribute to his enduring writings, his image appears on the front of Scottish banknotes. On the occasion of this celebration and launch, the Royal Mint collaborated with Scott’s Abbotsford home’s current trustee and direct descendant, Matthew Maxwell Scott — the great, great, great, great-grandson of the famous writer who personally launched the coins.

One of Scott’s more familiar and enduring poems was written in 1808 and was entitled “Marmion.” It was about the battle between the English and Scottish at Flodden Field in 1513. One particular rhyme, which is his most often quoted, is still regularly used today:

Oh! what a tangled web we weave — When first we practise to deceive!

Despite his literary success, Scott had become financially insolvent but chose not to declare himself bankrupt. Instead, he signed over his estate and assets to his creditors and produced a prolific amount of literature over the next seven years until he was able to wipe out most of his debts. Having suffered a stroke in 1831, his health continued to fail and Scott died on the 21st September 1832 at Abbotsford. The vast estate remained in the Scott family until 2007 when Abbotsford came under the care of The Abbotsford Trust — a new charitable trust created following the death of Dame Jean Maxwell-Scott, the last descendant of Scott to live at Abbotsford.

The reverse side of the coins is designed by textual artist Stephen Raw, who was inspired by his visit to Abbotsford, the famous home of Sir Walter Scott. In the field of the coin, the words Sir Walter Scott and NOVELIST, HISTORIAN, and POET are inscribed in the same calligraphy seen at Abbotsford’s grand entrance and chapel. The design also includes Scott’s portrait modelled on the Scott Monument — one of Edinburgh’s most iconic landmarks. Above the primary design is the additional text 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS BIRTH.

The obverse side includes the fifth effigy of HM Queen Elizabeth II created by engraver Jody Clark and introduced onto British coins in 2015. Each version includes an incused edge lettering which reads “THE WILL TO DO, THE SOUL TO DARE.”

Denom.	Metal	Weight	Diameter	Quality	Maximum Mintage
Two pounds	Bi-metallic	12 g	28.4 mm	Brilliant Unc.	Unlimited
Two pounds	.925 Silver	12 g	28.4 mm	Proof with gold plating	1,771
Two pounds	.925 Silver	24 g	28.4 mm	Proof with gold plating	771
Two pounds	.9167 Gold	15.97 g	28.4 mm	Proof	175

The Brilliant Uncirculated bi-metallic base metal coins are housed in a blister-pak type folder with informative text and illustrations. The sterling silver Proof and silver Piedfort coins with selective gold-plating are presented in a custom black vinyl covered case and the gold Proof coins are presented in a polished hardwood case. All are accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity. For additional information, please visit the website of the Royal Mint.

❑