Shakespeare and Beatrix Potter among new coin designs for 2016

The coins will give a snapshot of Britain over the last 1,000 years

Several new coin designs that will feature on coins in 2016 (PA)

Shakespeare plays and Beatrix Potter tales will be among the images featured on new coins for 2016.

The Royal Mint said each of the coins will give a snapshot of Britain over the last 1,000 years, marking key moments, organisations and people that have shaped the nation.

Some of William Shakespeare’s best known histories, comedies and tragedies will be etched into £2 coins, 400 years after his death.

The stories of Beatrix Potter will be featured on a 50p coin, marking 150 years since her birth.

£2 coin featuring William Shakespeare PA (PA)

50p coin featuring Beatrix Potter design PA (PA)

Other coins commemorate The Battle of Hastings 950 years ago and the 350^th anniversary of the Great Fire of London.

The Royal Mint’s five-year programme marking the centenary of the First World War continues with a £2 coin remembering the community pride that fuelled the rise of “Pals” battalions.

Each coin bears the fifth definitive portrait of the Queen by Royal Mint engraver Jody Clark, first introduced to UK coinage in 2015.

Anne Jessopp, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said: “It is always exciting to see the new year’s design revealed, commemorating moments that matter, and revisiting some of the great and stories from our history.

£2 coin featuring the Great Fire of London PA (PA)

The Battle of Hastings 50p coin PA (PA)

“The British public should start to see these coins appearing in their change from spring 2016.”

Freedom of Information Requests recently revealed the Royal Mint proposed a design for a six-sided 60p coin to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The Royal Mint recommended that an event of such huge national importance should be commemorated with more than one type of coin.

Additional reporting by Press Association