Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint
  • 2 Pounds 2020, Sp# K61, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Agatha Christie
  • 2 Pounds 2020, Sp# K61, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Agatha Christie
  • 2 Pounds 2020, Sp# K61, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Agatha Christie, Royal Mint case accompanied by a booklet
Description

To mark 100 years since Dame Agatha Christie published her first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, the “Queen of Crime” is commemorated on a £2 coin for the first time. She began working on The Mysterious Affair at Styles in 1916, writing much of it on Dartmoor. Her original manuscript was rejected by such publishing companies as Hodder and Stoughton and Methuen. After keeping the submission for several months, John Lane at The Bodley Head offered to accept it, provided that Christie change the ending. She did so, and signed a contract which she later felt was exploitative. It was finally published in 1920.

Agatha Christie (1890–1976) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around her fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. In 1971 she was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her contribution to literature.

Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling novelist of all time. Her novels have sold roughly 2 billion copies, and her estate claims that her works come third in the rankings of the world's most-widely published books, behind only Shakespeare's works and the Bible. According to Index Translationum, she remains the most-translated individual author, having been translated into at least 103 languages. And Then There Were None is Christie's best-selling novel, with 100 million sales to date, making it the world's best-selling mystery ever, and one of the best-selling books of all time. Christie's stage play The Mousetrap holds the world record for longest initial run.

Obverse

The fifth crowned portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the George IV State Diadem and drop earrings.

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 jewelry 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.

Engraver: Jody Clark

ELIZABETH II·D·G·REG·F·D·2 POUNDS·
J.C

Reverse

Depicts a nearly completed jigsaw puzzle featuring a handgun, poison bottle, fountain pen, knife and the final piece with question mark ready to be inserted in reference to the writer’s famous murder mystery novels. The author's signature below.

The Mysterious Affair at Styles was Christie's first published novel. It introduced Hercule Poirot, Inspector (later, Chief Inspector) Japp, and Arthur Hastings. Poirot, a Belgian refugee of the Great War, is settling in England near the home of Emily Inglethorp, who helped him to his new life. When the woman is killed (poisoned with strychnine), Poirot uses his detective skills to solve the mystery.

Engraver: David Lawrence

100 YEARS OF MYSTERY
POISON
?
DL
1920 2020
Agatha
Christie

Edge

Agatha Christie's famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot solved some of the world's most puzzling crimes using only his 'little grey cells'.

LITTLE GREY CELLS

Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Bi-Metallic
Ring Gold Plated Silver
Center Silver
Weight 12 g
Diameter 28.4 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Mint

Related coins

5th portrait

Agatha Christie

Bi-Metallic, 12 g, ⌀ 28.4 mm
5th portrait, Silver Proof Piedfort Coin

Agatha Christie

Bi-Metallic, 24 g, ⌀ 28.4 mm
5th portrait, Gold Proof Coin

Agatha Christie

Bi-Metallic, 15.97 g, ⌀ 28.4 mm