2003 DNA Two Pound Coins

Obverse of 2003 DNA Silver Proof Two Pound Coin

Reverse of 2003 DNA Silver Proof Two Pound Coin

2003 Silver Proof Two Pound Coin in Presentation Box

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.

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.

Specifications

Version	Diameter	Weight	Alloy	Actual Metal Weight
Gold Proof	28.40	15.97	.9166	0.4707
Piedfort Silver Proof	28.40	24.00	.925	0.7138
Silver Proof	28.40	12.00	.925	0.3569
Specimen	28.40	12.00

Notes to Table
Diameter = Diameter in millimetres.
Weight = Weight in grams.
Alloy = Fineness of metal content.
AMW = Fine metal content in troy ounces.

Prices & Availability

BU Specimen in Folder

Silver Proof

If you wish to buy this product you will be redirected to www.chards.co.uk

Piedfort Silver Proof

Postage & Packing:
UK: At buyer's Risk £3.50 or
Fully Insured £9 (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

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2003 Coins
2003 Piedfort Silver Proof Three Coin Set

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