2006 Two Pound Coin - Brunel Paddington Station

In 2006 the Royal Mint released two coins celebrating the 200th year of the birth of one of Britain's greatest engineers - Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-1859). Brunel was a key figure in the Industrial Revolution and he is remembered for many things, including railways, steamships, bridges and buildings.

In 1843 while performing a conjuring trick for his children, Brunel accidentally swallowed a gold half-sovereign which became lodged in his windpipe. It proved difficult to remove and he needed some time to recuperate after it was eventually shaken out by his Father strapping him upside-down to a board.

This £2 coin shows the roof of Paddington station, which was the main terminus of the Great Western Railway of which Isambard Kingdom Brunel was chief engineer. The reverse of the coin was designed by Robert Evans.

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

The edge is milled and has the inscription "SO MANY IRONS IN THE FIRE".