Since the 1998 introduction of bi-metallic £2 coins, the Royal Mint has issued numerous commemorative editions of the coins. These editions have often focussed on science and technology. In 2006, as part of the bicentenary of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s birth, the Mint issued two coins depicting Brunel and his works.
This coin, designed by Rod Kelly, presents on the reverse an image of Brunel based on the iconic Robert Howlett portrait, alongside a wheel and the Royal Albert Bridge over the Tamar. Around the image is a chain, again recalling Howlett’s portrait. The edge of the coin presents the legend ‘So many irons in the fire’. The quotation derives from a passage of Brunel’s diary.[1]
For the other coin, see LDBRU:2025.3.
References
[1] Brunel Institute, University of Bristol, DM1306/2/1/fol. 30 (8 June 1828): ‘Oh dear how many irons and none hot!’.