COMMEMORATIVE é2 coins to mark the 300th anniversary of the Act of Union will cost up to é395, it was announced today.

That will buy one of just 750 gold versions of the coin (pictured), said the Royal Mint. A silver version with an issue of 10,000 will sell for é29.95.

The cheapest will be the `brilliant uncirculated' coin, of which 100,000 will be struck. It will cost é7.45. One side of the coin combines a rose for England, a thistle for Scotland and a portcullis for Parliament.

The other features a new portrait of the Queen.