In 2006, to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the Royal Mint released a Limited Issue Brunel The Man £2 Two Pound Proof Coin.
Isambard Brunel's many achievements are of such importance that his personality and charter tend to be overlooked. It was his determined nature, however, that enabled him to take on so many challenging projects and complete so many of the engineering feats that are still part of Britain's landscape today.
He was destined to follow in the footsteps of his father, Marc Isambard Brunel, who was a successful engineer in his own right.
After being educated in France the young Brunel returned to England and at the age of sixteen began working with his father, from that time onwards dedicating himself to engineering. Although his career was extremely important to him, Brunel made time for his family. He married Mary Horsley in 1836 and they had three children, but even at home he put his engineering skills to good use.
Having accidentally swallowed a half sovereign when performing a trick for his children, he hurriedly designed an apparatus which would swing his whole body upside down. Astonishingly, the invention was successful and the coin was dislodged.
Brunel‘s letters and journals give a fascinating insight into his character and the remarkable level of control that he exercised over every detail of his work.
Quite apart from the engineering aspects of his designs, he was also closely involved with the aesthetic features, such as choosing the colours of the Great Western Railway's carriages and selecting the appropriate architectural ornamentation.
He was a driven man and combining this with his practical knowledge and creativity he became one of Britain's greatest engineers.
The reverse designed by Robert Elderton is a portrait of the engineer with segments of a wheel and bridge in the background surrounded by links of a heavy chain and the date "2006" and denomination "Two Pounds", with the edge inscription "1806 - 1859 Isambard Kingdom Brunel Engineer".
The obverse features Ian Rank Broadley's mature, reflective portrait of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
These legal tender coins have been struck to proof quality using specially prepared dies and highly polished blanks.