2 Pounds 1989 Bill of Rights and Claim of Rights
By Coinsanduk | Wednesday, 11 February 2026
To celebrate the 300th anniversary (tercentenary) of the Bill of Rights and Claim of Rights, the Mint released commemorative 2 pounds coins in 1989 struck in nickel-brass and proof silver pedfort versions.
The reverse of the two pounds Bill of Rights features the Cypher of King William III and Queen Mary II with a parliamentary mace. The obverse features the third portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Raphael Maklouf.
The Bill of Rights 1689 is the original terms and conditions for the British monarchy. It is a landmark piece of constitutional law that shifted the power dynamic in England from an absolute ruler to a constitutional monarchy.
At that time, King James II was unpopular, largely due to his pro-Catholic stance and his tendency to ignore Parliament. In 1688, he was overthrown in the Glorious Revolution and replaced by his daughter, Mary II, and her husband, William of Orange.
William and Mary weren't just handed the crown; they had to agree to the Declaration of Rights, which was formally enacted as the Bill of Rights in December 1689.
The Bill of Rights stripped the monarch of several powers and guaranteed specific liberties. For example, the King could no longer suspend laws, create new courts, or levy taxes without Parliament’s explicit consent. Freedom of Speech guaranteed that proceedings in Parliament ought not to be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of Parliament allowing MPs to debate freely without fear of being jailed by the King.
The monarch could not keep a professional army during peacetime without Parliament’s permission (a direct response to James II using the army to intimidate citizens).
It also included free elections and individual protections. In the end, it established that the law comes from Parliament, not just the divine right of a King, which is a massive switch from monarchy to democracy.
In 1689, Prince William and Mary accepted the Declaration of Rights before ascending the throne, marking a pivotal moment in British history by shifting power from the Crown to Parliament. This event laid the foundation for constitutional monarchy and parliamentary sovereignty.
The reverse of the two pounds Claim of Rights features the Crown of Scotland, the cypher of William and Mary, and the House of Commons mace. The obverse features the third portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Raphael Maklouf.
The Claim of Right 1689 is the Scottish version of the English Bill of Rights.
While they were written at the same time and for the same reason, the Scottish document has some unique aspects that make it distinct from its English counterpart.
Among them, the English Bill of Rights argued that King James II had abdicated or voluntarily left the throne by fleeing to France. The Scottish Convention of Estates was much more blunt. They argued that because James VII (as he was known in Scotland) had violated the laws and acted like a despot, he had forfeited the throne.
In Scots law, this established a contractual theory of monarchy: the King only keeps the crown as long as he follows the rules. If he breaks the contract, he's fired.
When people mention the Claim of Right today, they are often referring to a modern version signed in 1989. This 1989 document didn't have the force of law, but it was a massive political milestone. It laid the groundwork for the creation of the Scottish Parliament in 1999 and is still frequently cited by the Scottish National Party (SNP) and independence supporters as proof that sovereignty in Scotland lies with the people, not the Westminster Parliament.
2 Pounds 1989 Price Guide and Values
