A monumental moment for collectors has just been unveiled — the iconic HMS Belfast has been immortalised on an official UK £2 coin for the very first time. Not only does this release pay tribute to one of Britain’s most formidable warships, but it also marks a double first in UK coin history: it is both the first UK £2 to feature a 2025 date and the last new UK coin to be issued this year.
The Legacy of HMS Belfast
As one of the most famous warships in British naval history, HMS Belfast played a decisive role in multiple global conflicts. Launched in 1938, she quickly established herself as a powerful force during the Second World War, the Korean War, and the Cold War. Her storied history spans three major military campaigns, each of which cemented her place as one of the UK’s most prized maritime defenders.
World War II Heroics
- The Sinking of the Scharnhorst (1943) – In what became one of the most famous naval victories of WWII, HMS Belfast played a key role in the destruction of the powerful German battleship Scharnhorst. This victory protected vital Arctic convoys supplying the Soviet Union, dealing a major blow to German naval forces.
- The Normandy Landings (1944) – On D-Day, HMS Belfast took a leading role, providing heavy bombardment support for Allied troops at Sword Beach. Her powerful guns fired on German fortifications along the coast, clearing the way for troops to land and begin the liberation of Western Europe.
After WWII, HMS Belfast remained on active duty, offering support during the Korean War (1950-1953) and patrolling key strategic areas throughout the Cold War. Her service spanned a remarkable 25 years before her decommissioning in 1963. Thankfully, HMS Belfast was preserved as a museum ship, and today, she stands proudly on the River Thames as part of the Imperial War Museums (IWM), offering visitors a rare chance to step aboard one of Britain’s greatest warships.
The 2025 UK £2 Coin: A Collectible Like No Other
For the first time in British history, HMS Belfast has been celebrated on an official UK £2 coin. Struck from Sterling Silver, accompanied by fine gold on the outer coin – to a pristine proof finish – the highest finish achievable. The coin’s design captures HMS Belfast as she appeared in the 1960s, reflecting her later years of active service during the Cold War. To complete the tribute, her Latin motto “PRO · TANTO · QVID · RETRIBVAMVS” — meaning “What shall we give in return for so much?” — is inscribed on the coin’s edge, further enhancing its symbolic value.
This coin is already set to be one of the most sought-after releases of the year — and here’s why:
- The last new UK coin of the year — making it a landmark release to close out 2024.
- First-of-its-kind design – The first-ever UK coin dedicated to HMS Belfast.
- The first UK £2 coin to bear a 2025 date — a significant milestone for collectors.
- Limited availability – Early-release coins like this often sell out quickly due to strong collector demand.
- A maritime icon – Honouring one of Britain’s most famous warships and a key player in WWII, the Korean War, and the Cold War.
- Struck from Sterling Silver – accompanied by fine gold on the outer coin – to a pristine proof finish – the highest finish achievable
With so many historic “firsts” tied to this release, it’s clear that demand will be high. Coins that mark the start of a new year and close the curtain on the previous year often see increased collector interest — and this coin does both.
A Lasting Tribute to an Iconic Warship
As the final new UK coin of 2024 and the first 2025-dated £2 coin, this release is already destined for greatness. It immortalises one of the UK’s most decorated warships, HMS Belfast, whose legacy spans the World War II Arctic convoys, the D-Day landings, and the Cold War.
With the support of the Imperial War Museums (IWM), this collectible offers more than just beautiful craftsmanship — it tells a story of duty, strength, and resilience. Available in Gold Proof, Silver Proof Piedfort, Silver Proof, and Brilliant Uncirculated editions, this coin is a must-have for naval enthusiasts, military historians, and coin collectors alike.