So, should you hoard them? Yes, but only with a sense of moral superiority. The coin is worth... $2. Unless it’s the “double obverse” error, in which case it’s worth a trip to the pawn shop. But the regular ones? They’re common as dirt. The mint produced over 2.5 million of them.
Two pounds 2015 | British Coins price guide and values | Coins and
That means the universe is basically saying, “Here, have a history lesson. And also, feel free to use it to buy a scratchie.” The irony is palpable. You can honour the fallen and then immediately gamble on the lottery with their effigy. War is hell, but inflation is worse.
The Verdict: Keep it or Spend it?
If you find one, keep it for a week. Put it in a drawer. See if it makes you feel less angry about traffic. Then, if you must spend it, use it to buy a coffee and toast the memory of the soldier with a sip. Or, better yet, just roll it between your fingers and feel the texture of history.
Because in the end, this coin is a brilliant, dumb, beautiful paradox. It’s a piece of metal that wants you to remember something terrible, while simultaneously being worth slightly less than a sandwich. That’s the First World War for you: a tragedy so huge, we shrunk it down to fit in a vending machine. But hey, at least it’s got a cool red dot on it.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go check my sofa cushions for a $3,500 error coin. A man can dream, and a man can also lose his lunch money to history.
