The coin was designed at the Royal Mint, Llantrisant

The new coin - made at the Royal Mint at Llantrisant, south Wales - celebrates the 200th anniversary of the journey of the Penydarren, which made its historic journey in Merthyr Tydfil in February 1804.

Cornish-born Trevithick travelled to the south Wales town because his project was sponsored by Samuel Homfray, the owner of the Penydarren Ironworks.

The locomotive managed to haul 10 tonnes of iron, 70 passengers, and five wagons from the ironworks to the Merthyr-Cardiff Canal at Abercynon.

During the nine-mile journey, it reached a speed of almost 5mph.

The seven-tonne vehicle only made three journeys - and each time it broke the cast iron rails.

Homfray eventually decided that Trevithick's invention was unlikely to reduce his transport costs, so he decided to abandon the project.

Nevertheless, Trevithick's achievements inspired a generation of engineers, changing the face of industrial development in Britain.

Celebrations are planned for the anniversary of the journey

Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council is planning to mark the bicentenary of the event with a series of events and exhibitions from February to September 2004.

The new �2 coin - which features the Penydarren locomotive surrounded by a single railway track - was designed by Royal Mint engraver Robert Lowe.

Inscribed on the outer rim of the coin is the inventor's name, together with the date of the locomotive's maiden journey and the words, "invention", "industry", and "progress".

Royal Mint Chief Executive Gerald Sheehan said: "There is no doubt that this achievement was a major step forward and led to further great industrial progress."

The coin will be sold in presentation folders at �6.95, and 1,500 limited edition gold coins and 25,000 in silver will be made available.

A circulating version which will be legal tender will be available later in the year.

Trevithick has joined a select band of scientists commemorated on coins, including Michael Faraday, Guglielmo Marconi, and Sir Isaac Newton.