In 2017 the Maldivian 2 rufiyaa became two-coloured: a bimetallic coin with a nickel-plated steel centre in a nickel-brass ring replaced the earlier coin in circulation. The subject was kept, though: the coin still shows the Triton’s trumpet, the shell islanders turn into the horn called «sangu».

The shell sits on the central insert, while the ring carries «ދިވެހި ރާއްޖޭ» («Maldives») in Thaana script and two dates, «2017» and «١٤٣٨», the Hijri year 1438. The other side shows a large numeral 2 with the legends «REPUBLIC OF MALDIVES», «RUFIYAA» and «ރުފިޔާ». The edge is now plain, without the lettering of the older coin.

The coin was struck by the Royal Mint in Britain, a long-standing partner of the Maldives Monetary Authority. The Triton’s trumpet itself is one of the largest shells of the coral reef, up to 60 centimetres long, and a natural enemy of the crown-of-thorns starfish that destroys corals.

For a collection this is the first year of the bimetallic 2 rufiyaa type and a clear continuation of the 1995–2007 series. UNC grade: the coin never circulated, shows no wear and keeps its mint lustre; only minor bag marks from bank storage are acceptable.

This coin is one of the items in the VPcoins catalogue, which brings together commemorative, circulation and bullion coins from around the world.