United Kingdom (Great Britain) Elizabeth II 2 Pounds

History

2 Pounds 1986, KM# 947, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Edinburgh 1986 Commonwealth Games

Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com

Description

The 1986 Commonwealth Games were held in Edinburgh, Scotland, between 24 July and 2 August 1986. They were the second Games to be held in Edinburgh. Unlike the 1970 Games in Edinburgh, which were popular and successful, the 1986 Games are ill-famed for the wide political boycott connected with them and the resulting financial mismanagement. Thirty two of the eligible fifty nine countries—largely African, Asian and Caribbean states—stayed away because of the Thatcher government's policy of keeping Britain's sporting links with apartheid South Africa in preference to participating in the general sporting boycott of that country.

The Commonwealth Games (known as the British Empire Games from 1930–1950, the British Empire and Commonwealth Games from 1954–1966, and British Commonwealth Games from 1970–1974) is an international multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930, and, with the exception of 1942 and 1946, which were cancelled due to World War II, has taken place every four years since then. Although there are 53 members of the Commonwealth of Nations, 70 teams participate in the Commonwealth Games, as a number of dependent territories compete under their own flags. The four Home Nations of the United Kingdom—England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland—also send separate teams. Only six countries have attended every Commonwealth Games: Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, Scotland, and Wales.

Obverse	Crown, jewelry Diamond Diadem Person (king, queen, tsar etc.) Elizabeth II Third crowned portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the George IV State Diadem. The George IV State Diadem, officially the Diamond Diadem, is a type of crown that was made in 1820 for King George IV. The diadem is worn by queens and queens consort in procession to coronations and State Openings of Parliament. The piece of jewellery has been featured in paintings and on stamps and currency. It can be seen in the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace. ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FIDEI DEFENSATRIX means Elizabeth II, by the grace of God, Queen and Defender of the Faith. From 1985 to 1991 the head of Queen Elizabeth II was a slightly smaller size. From 1993 to 1997 the head was a slightly larger size. The change over was made part way through 1992 so there are two versions in this year. 1997 has small varieties in design of the portrait. Engraver: Raphael David Maklouf ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRATIA·REGINA·F·D RDM · TWO POUNDS ·
Reverse	Flag Scotland Symbol, amulet, talisman Saint Andrew's Cross Tree, flower, plant etc. Thistle Cross of St Andrew, crown of laurel leaves and Scottish Thistle. The national flag of Scotland (a blue field with a white diagonal cross that extends to the corners of the flag) is also known as St Andrew's Cross or the Saltire. Thistle is the common name of a group of flowering plants characterised by leaves with sharp prickles on the margins, mostly in the family Asteraceae. They are an adaptation that protects the plant from being eaten by herbivores. Thistle is the floral emblem of Scotland and Lorraine, as well as the emblem of the Encyclopædia Britannica. Engraver: Norman Sillman 1986 N S
Edge	Reeded and lettered XIII COMMONWEALTH GAMES SCOTLAND 1986