Florence Nightingale 2 Pound Coin

Introducing the Florence Nightingale 2 Pound Coin

Florence Nightingale was born on 12 May 1820 and named after her birthplace, Florence, Italy. Even though she was born to a wealthy family, she saw her calling in nursing. When the Crimean War started, Florence volunteered along with 38 other nurses she had trained to help the medical staff. Her dedication to her calling eventually gave her the nickname, “The Lady with the Lamp.” Once she returned to Britain, she used her experience during the Crimean War to open a nursing school at St Thomas’ Hospital in London, the start of modern nursing. She also published her findings in her book, “Notes on Nursing: What it is and What it is Not”. The book was published in 1859 and then became a reference book for anyone entering the nursing profession. To commemorate her legacy, the Royal Mint released the Florence Nightingale 2 pound coin in 2010. 

Florence Nightingale 2 Pound Coin 2010

The Florence Nightingale 2 pound coin features a familiar moment with nurses everywhere, that of taking the pulse of a patient. Designed by Gordon Summers, the Royal Mint’s Chief Engraver, the coin also has Florence Nightingale’s name proudly stamped along the top edge of the surface, along with the years of her birth and death. The edge has the inscription of ‘150 Years of Nursing,’ referring to the publication of her book, “Note on Nursing.” 

(Caption: Florence Nightingale Portrait by Henry Hering)

How Much is the Florence Nightingale 2 Pound Coin Worth?

The Florence Nightingale coin has been minted 6.1 million times. It’s considered a common coin. The highest price for a circulation coin, as of 2019, on eBay was £4.99.

Other Versions of the Florence Nightingale 2 Pound Coin

You can find the coin in different versions beyond the circulation coins. If you’re interested in collecting it for the Great British Coin Hunt or just for your personal collection, you can find the coin in Gold Proof (500 mintage), Silver Proof (5,000 mintage), Silver Proof Piedfort (3,500 mintage), and Brilliant Uncirculated.