All aboard... The train leaving platform 2: The Duchess of Hamilton
The Duchess of Hamilton 2026 UK £2 Silver Proof Colour Coin is a brand-new release from The Royal Mint that marks the first time this legendary locomotive has been honored on an official UK coin. Developed in partnership with the National Railway Museum, the coin celebrates one of Britain’s most iconic steam engines, originally built in 1938 at Crewe Works for the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS). Priced at £115.00, it is struck in sterling silver and finished to the highest Proof standard, capturing the speed and Art Deco elegance that defined the "golden age of steam".
The coin's reverse, designed by experienced artist Gary Breeze, features a side-on depiction of the Duchess of Hamilton in motion. The design is enhanced with vivid color printing—a feature rarely seen on UK £2 coins—which highlights the locomotive's striking streamlined form and its historical red and gold livery. Further detailing includes an edge inscription reading "LMS PRINCESS CORONATION CLASS 6229," paying direct homage to the engine's original classification and identification.
This edition is strictly limited to just 2,000 coins worldwide, making it a highly exclusive collectible for both railway enthusiasts and numismatists. For context, this mintage is less than half that of the previous Flying Scotsman silver proof release, which sold out rapidly. Each coin is presented in official Royal Mint packaging that includes detailed information about the locomotive's fascinating history, including its 1939 journey to represent Britain at the New York World's Fair.
The obverse of the coin features the official coinage portrait of His Majesty King Charles III, created by sculptor Martin Jennings. This juxtaposition of modern royal portraiture with a tribute to 1930s engineering serves to bridge different eras of British heritage. Beyond its technical specs—a 28.40mm diameter and 12g weight—the coin is a lasting tribute to a locomotive that was once saved from scrapping by entrepreneur Billy Butlin and is now resplendent in its original streamlined state in York.