You probably know the gist: the Mary Rose was Henry VIII’s flagship, the pride of his navy. She sank in 1545 in front of the king’s very eyes—oops—during a battle with the French. It wasn’t a glorious battle; she just keeled over because the crew forgot to close the gunports. Classic rookie mistake.
But here’s the incredible bit: 437 years later, they raised her from the seabed. In 1982, millions watched as the hull broke the surface of the Solent, dripping with silt and history. This coin, issued in 2005 to 2007, celebrates that recovery. It’s a lump of metal that says: “We messed up, but we fixed it.”
What’s Actually On The Coin?
Flip one over—if you’re lucky enough to find one—and you’ll see the Mary Rose herself, sails billowing, looking all majestic. Above her, you get the dates 1545-1982. Below, a special inscription: “Your Nobles Shippe”. That’s an old quote from a French ambassador who was blown away by how impressive she was. Ironic, really, given she sank on her second outing.
The design was done by John Bevan, a medal maker with a love for detail. He didn’t just slap a boat on it; he captured the buoyancy of her, the sense she’s about to sail right off the rim. It’s one of the few £2 coins that actually looks better in your hand than in a photo. Trust me, go find one.
Rare 2 Pound Coin 2011 MARY ROSE 500TH ANNIVERSARY - Etsy UK
