The country's first two-tone coin finally made its debut yesterday. But the overwhelming verdict of Bradfordians is that it's more Eurovision than Cool Britannia.

The new silver and gold coloured £2 coin weighs in at 12 grammes, is 28.4mm in diameter and 2.5mm thick.

The design features the traditional Queen's head on one side and a series of concentric circles on the reverse - which symbolise the Iron Age, Industrial Revolution, Electronic Age and Internet.

The results of a Telegraph & Argus straw poll proved shoppers in Bradford were in no doubt that the coin's striking two-tone colour scheme made it look like a French franc, Italian lira and even a Spanish peseta.

Joe Moseley, 73, of Thorpe Edge, said: "It looks a bit European to me - Spanish or French. Maybe it's the shape of things to come?

"I don't think there's really any need for it though because we've got more than enough coins already."

David Scinski, 16, of Bradford, said: "It looks quite futuristic but I don't think we need another coin.

"The Royal Mint seems to be messing about with a lot of the coins. First they reduced the 5p and 10p, then redesigned the 50p and now this. I think it's a waste of time."

Frances Bertram, 54, of Sandbeds, Keighley, said: "I like the look of it but it's just another coin that's going to burn a whole in our pockets.

" It looks almost like a French franc. Maybe it's a clever way of getting us to think European before we sign up for another currency."

Elliott Manners, 23, of Bradford, said: "There's no need for another coin, although the fact it's made of two colours makes it look quite attractive.

" It reminds me of the franc or the lira. And it's a bit of a pointless design."

Karen Moody, 22, of Bradford, added: "It's very pretty, but quite big - a few of those in a small purse and you wouldn't have much room for anything else.

"I think it's a clever design but I don't really think we need another coin."

But Benjamin Smith, 22, of Bradford, disagreed. He said: "When the Royal Mint introduced the £1 coin a few years ago everyone said it wouldn't catch on.

"But there was a need for it, just like we need a £2 coin now. I think it's a great idea, although it does look European."

The new £2 coin will be phased in over the next few months, but the Royal Mint's decision to only produce 50 million of the coins means it could be a while before most people get the chance to spend one.

The reverse of the coin was designed by Norfolk art teacher Bruce Rushin. His design traces the progress of technological development with its concentric circles. The original launch last autumn was postponed because of a potential problem with the electronic signature of the coin in vending and other machines.

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