The Royal Mint, who often produce special coins for special occasions, have produced a £2 coin to honour Samuel Pepys, 350 years after his last diary entry:
The restoration of the monarchy, the Great Fire of London, the Second Dutch War and the Great Plague – the seventeenth century was a turbulent time in British history. Our understanding of these events and, in particular, the people who lived through them is enriched by one first-hand account: the diary of Samuel Pepys.
Begun when he was very young and about to take up important government post as Clerk of the Acts of the Navy Board, Pepys’ diary offers a detailed and personal account of the 1660s. Samuel Pepys brought an end to the diary on 31 May 1669 because he was concerned that writing in low light was causing him to go blind. Now, 350 years after that last entry, we celebrate the man and his remarkable diary.
The coin, whose engraving is by Gary Breeze, features some of the shorthand from Pepys’ final diary entry.
It’s not clear from the Royal Mint’s page whether you can purchase the coin, or how to do so, but it is, and you can buy this £2 coin for £10. Or up to £845 for a gold version…
2 Comments
Second Reading
San Diego Sarah • Link
I received mine today, in a beautiful presentation package. I'm glad I "voted" for Mr. Pepys' inclusion in this year's commemorative coins. If you have a history lover on your list of "people who have everything" this would be a nice gift.
Suzanne in MI • Link
I received mine today, it’s everything Sarah says.