VE-DAY 50p Coin
Victory in Europe (VE) Day — 8 May 1945 — marked the official end of the Second World War in Europe. After nearly six devastating years of conflict that had engulfed nations and torn countless families apart, the announcement of Germany’s unconditional surrender was met with an outpouring of relief, joy, and hope.
Now, 80 years on The Royal Mint have revealed their coin commemorating the historic day – featuring the Peace Dove, designed by the late John Mills.
Read on below to explore the story behind the design…
In 1995, to mark the 50th anniversary of VE Day, the acclaimed sculptor and designer John Mills was commissioned to create a commemorative coin design for The Royal Mint. His creation was a beautifully simple yet profound image: a dove, wings outstretched, carrying an olive branch.
Mills’ design captured the spirit of 1945 in a single, timeless symbol. It spoke not of conquest, but of healing. Not of division, but of unity. In his own words, Mills aimed to create a piece that would go beyond the battlefield, focusing instead on what came after — the hope, the peace, and the goodwill that victory made possible.
The dove of peace has since become an iconic part of the United Kingdom’s numismatic history, treasured not just for its aesthetic beauty, but for its deep emotional resonance.
In 2025, The Royal Mint breathes new life into John Mills’ legacy for the 80th anniversary of VE Day. The design has been carefully remastered, maintaining the heartfelt purity of the original while introducing a powerful addition: the words “IN PEACE GOODWILL” — taken from Winston Churchill’s reflections in his book The Second World War.
These words remind us that peace is not merely the absence of war, but needs mutual goodwill, understanding, and enduring cooperation.
By collecting, gifting, or simply reflecting on the VE Day 80th Anniversary coin featuring John Mills’ iconic design, we connect ourselves to an important mission. We keep alive the dream that one day, the dove’s flight will span a world truly united in peace and goodwill.
The Royal Mint’s tribute for the 80th Anniversary asks us not to forget — that those who fought for peace did not do so in vain, and that their legacy will live on in every future generation.
