We have found a number of interesting £2 coins from the Isle of Man. They were minted in 1997 and are in Brilliant Uncirculated condition. The obverse shows the third portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, and the reverse has 3 vintage racing cars. These coins were struck in virenium, a metal alloy often used for medals and commemorative coins and which consists of copper, nickel and zinc.
In 1980 when the Queen Mother turned 80, a number of countries issued special commemorative crowns to honour the event. The Isle of Man was such a place. This handsome crown is struck in Uncirculated cupro-nickel. You have a facing portrait of the Queen Mother on one side and on the other you have a profile portrait of her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II. These crowns are now 39 years old and in Uncirculated condition.
These very interesting tokens, although dated 1830, depict the portrait of King George III of Great Britain instead of the monarch at that time, King George IV. They were issued by both John Caine and two members of his family, John McTurk and a Mr. Carter originating from Castletown, so they became known as ‘McTurk’, ‘Caine’ and ‘Carter’ tokens. They were issued, as with most token coinage, during a period of chaos when there was a desperate shortage of small copper change available, as was the case on the island at the time with no legal currency having been struck since the 1813 issue. They grade About Very Fine but limited availability.