2005 Two Pound Coin – Gunpowder Plot

Back in 1605 there was a failed assassination attempt to kill King James I. The plot was to use gunpowder to blow up the House of Lords during the State Opening. It is often refered to as the Gunpowder plot.

The plot was by a group of provincial English Catholics led by Robert Catesby. He had many fellow plotters, but in charge of the explosives was Guy Fawkes

There was an anonymous letter sent to the authorities telling of the plan and when the House of Lords was searched on 5th November 1605 they found Guy Fawkes and 36 barrels of gunpowder - enough to flatten the entire building. The plotters who didn't escape were convicted and then subjected to horrible deaths.

Many of us still celebrate the date with gunpowder - as fireworks on Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes Day.

In 2005 it was the 400th anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot.  An arrangement of crossiers, maces and swords surrounded by stars and the dates 1605 & 2005. Denomination TWO POUNDS below 'REMEMBER REMEMBER THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER'.

It was cleverly designed by artist Peter Forster. The reverse design shows symbols of State, represented by the mace, crosier and sword alluding to the survival under threat of the British establishment. The circular arrangement is like a Catherine Wheel and the surrounding stars are more fireworks. The font used is of early seventeenth-century style. The edge is milled.

The obverse is the Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.

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