2003 DNA Two Pound Coins

Reverse of 2003 DNA Two Pound Coin Gold Proof Version

Obverse of 2003 Gold Proof DNA Two Pound Coin Proof Version

2003 £2 Specimen Coin in Folder

According to the excellent genome.gov website:-

Francis Crick and James Watson described the double helix structure of DNA. By the time Watson and Crick turned their attention to solving the chemical structure of DNA, DNA was known to have the following attributes: - DNA is made of nucleotides, chemical building blocks made of three parts: a phosphate group that is linked to a deoxyribose sugar, which is in turn linked to one of four nitrogenous bases - adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), or thymine (T). Nucleotides are linked in series into a chain, with phosphate and sugar groups alternating. Phoebus Levene had determined these chemical characteristics.
- In the DNA of any given type of cell, the amount of adenine approximately equals the amount of thymine, while the amount of cytosine approximately equals the amount of guanine. Erwin Chargaff had shown this in 1949.
- X-ray diffraction patterns, obtained by Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins, revealed great symmetry and consistency in the structure of DNA and gave important clues about its dimensions.
Watson and Crick raced to find the structure before anyone else. They were competing with Linus Pauling, who had earlier discovered the alpha-helical structure of some protein molecules. While Watson and Crick were still working on their model, Pauling published a paper suggesting a triple-helical structure for DNA. Others quickly realized that the model was chemically flawed. Watson and Crick used paper cutouts of the bases and metal scraps from a machine shop to come up with their own model.
Their model revealed the following important properties:
- DNA is a double helix, with the sugar and phosphate parts of nucleotides forming the two strands of the helix, and the nucleotide bases pointing into the helix and stacking on top of each other.
- The nucleotide bases use hydrogen bonds to pair specifically, with an A always opposing a T, and a C always opposing a G. - The two strands of the double helix run in opposite directions.
Their 900-word paper, published in Nature, concluded, famously, "It has not escaped our notice that the specific pairing we have postulated immediately suggests a possible copying mechanism for the genetic material."
Watson, Crick, and Wilkins received the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1962.

According to the Royal Mint:

The new two-pound coin celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of the discovery of the structure of DNA by Francis Crick and James Watson. The discovery marks an event that has impacted on the lives of everyone.
But as well as acknowledging the achievements of the last fifty years, the coin anticipates developments that will be of great significance to the future of mankind.
Already DNA is used as a vital tool in many fields of scientific investigation and it is clear that in its application there are enormous advances to come.

As usual, this coin will be available in a number of different versions, some of which we have available from stock as from early January 2003:-

• Ordinary circulation version, which should be available from banks and post offices during the year.
• Specimen version, issued in Royal Mint folder. This has a superior finish compared with the ordinary coins, so will be preferred by most collectors. the folders are also very attractive and informative, and made interesting and unusual gifts.
• Proof version.
• Silver Proof version.
• Piedfort proof version, similar but made double weight, with a lower mintage.
• Gold proof version, made of two different shades of 22 carat gold.

Specimen Pack

Obverse
The Fourth Portrait
The fourth of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Ian Rank Broadley, FRBS, FSNAD, whose initials IRB appear under the head, as used on all British coins from 1998.

Reverse
The reverse, according to the Royal Mint, shows a celebration of the discovery of the structure of the DNA molecule, by John Mills. We presume they mean the design or engraving was by John Mills, not the discovery of DNA.
DNA DOUBLE HELIX
1953 TWO POUNDS 2003

Edge
Milled with an incuse inscription:-
DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID
There is also an incuse representation of a double helix on the edge.

Bimetallic
The coins is struck in 22 carat (karat) gold. There is a difference in colour between the inner and outer rings. This is achieved by adding a small amount of silver to the copper alloy,while the gold content remains unchanged. The inner section thus becomes the yellow gold of the Britannia coins, and the outer ring remains the red gold that is familiar from sovereigns.

Prices & Availability

Version	Mintage	Available	Issue Price £	Our Price £	Price $
BU Specimen in Folder	N/A	No	£6.95	£5.95	$9.95
BU Specimen in PNC Pack with First Day Cover	N/A	No	£13.95	£	$
Silver Proof	25,000	No	£29.95	£26.95	$39.95
Piedfort Silver Proof	TBA	Ask	£46.50?	£45	$70
Gold Proof	2,500	Yes	£295	£295	$590

Technical Specifications - Base Metal Version

Alloy	Inner Disc	Cupro-nickel
Alloy	Outer Ring	Nickel-brass
Diameter		28.40 mms
Weight		12.00 grams

Postage & Packing:
UK: At buyer's Risk £2.50 or
Fully Insured £6 (Usually by Royal Mail Special Delivery)
USA: Airmail at buyer's risk $10 or
Fully Insured $20
For further details, please see our Postage & Packing page.

Airmail to USA $10

2003 Advance Order Form - UK

2003 Advance Order Form - USA

Order Form - Rest of World

2003 Coins

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