2003 Two Pound Coin - DNA

Despite it being a modern buzz-word, DNA was actually discovered quite a long time ago. DNA was first isolated by Friedrich Miescher in 1869 but the molecular structure was identified by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953 using data acquired by X-Ray Physicist Raymond Gosling. DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) is a molecule that has genetic information for the growth, development, functioning and viruses of all known living organisms.

So in 2003 the UK decided to commemorate 50 years of the modern discovery of DNA.

The reverse was designed by John Mills and shows the double helix of DNA spiralling across the coin, highlighting the strands of chromosomes and the familiar letter notations for the four basic building blocks. The words in the inscription are 'DNA DOUBLE HELIX' and '1953 TWO POUNDS 2003'.

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