England two pence

2 pence, 1988

Badge of prince of Wales

2 pence, 1999

Metal: copper plated steel

Weight: 7.12gm

Diameter: 25.9mm

The reverse shows the badge of the prince of Wales: Three white ostrich feathers emerging from a golden coronet. The ribbon below the coronet bears the motto: "Ich dien", which is German for "I serve". The batch is used to symbolize Wales, and is also used by the Welsh rugby league. The batch does not have any relation to the native princes of Wales, but is apparently associated with the Black Prince Edward, eldest son of Edward III. It is said that the prince had taken the badge from the blind John I of Bohemia, whom he admired for his bravery. The prince had fought against John I in the battle of Crecy in 1346 and went to his dead body after the battle. He took his helmet lined with ostrich feathers. The helmet along with the motto of "Ich dien" made up the prince's badge and was also used by the subsequent princes of Wales.

The motto of "Ich dien" sounds like "Eich Dyn" ehich means "your man" in Welsh which may have helped to endear the motto, although there are groups among the Welsh who do not particularly like the motto and it is rejected by Welsh nationalists as it is seen as a symbol of the British monarchy rather than Wales.