Introducing the Invention Industry 2 Pound Coin

Richard Trevithick is the Cornish inventor and mining engineer who invented the world’s first steam locomotive in 1802 called the Coalbrookdale Locomotive, constructed for the Coalbrookdale ironworks in Shropshire. However, it wasn’t until early 1804 that he solidified his name into history. Samuel Homfray, the British industrialist, commissioned Trevithick at his Penydarren Ironworks to build a steam engine to drive a hammer. After Trevithick impressed Homfray with his designs, Homfray made a bet with South Wales iron merchant Richard Crawshay that Trevithick’s steam engine could move 10 tons of iron from Penydarren to Abercynon. It was a distance of 9.75 miles (15.69 km). On 21 February 1804, Trevithick’s steam locomotive successfully moved 11.24 tons of coal and 70 men in 4 hours and 5 minutes.

2004 Invention Industry Progress 2 Pound Coin

The design of the reverse side, by Robert Lowe, presents Trevithick’s historic Penydarren locomotive within the boundaries of a cog wheel, centred in the silver part of the coin. Along the golden circumference of the face are the words, ‘ 2004 R.Trevithick 1804 Invention · Industry · Progress.’ The edge does not have a traditional text inscription like most other 2 pound coins. The Invention Industry 2 pound coin has an edge inscription depicting railway tracks stamped into the milled edge. The obverse side features the fourth crowned portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley.

Even though the name officially used by the Royal Mint is the Steam Locomotive 2 pound coin, collectors know it informally as the ‘Invention Industry 2 pound coin’ or sometimes the ‘Invention Industry Progress 2 pound coin.’ It refers to the line written along the obverse side of the coin.

(Caption: “Full-scale replica of Trevithick’s 1804 steam-powered railway locomotive in the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.” by Oxyman is licensed under CC BY 2.0)

How Much is the Invention Industry 2 Pound Coin Worth?

The Invention Industry 2 pound coin has a mintage of 5,004,500, making it a common 2 pound coin to find. As of May 2019, on eBay, the highest price paid for a circulation quality coin was £7.50.

Other Versions of the Invention Industry 2 Pound Coin

There are other versions of the Invention Industry 2 pound coin if you’re looking for a nicer quality find for your collection or to give as a gift. The Royal Mint release a Brilliant Uncirculated version (mintage 50,000), Silver Proof version (mintage 25,000), Silver Proof Piedfort version (mintage 10,000), and Gold Proof version (mintage 1,500).