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How the new Battle of the Somme £5 Coin is set to raise important funds for The Royal British Legion
One Battle. One million casualties.
Nothing represents the suffering of World War I more than the Battle of the Somme, which sees its 100th anniversary on 1st July.
It’s appropriate, therefore, that the new Guernsey £5 coin, officially distributed by The Westminster Collection has been issued in support of The Royal British Legion.
The Battle of the Somme £5 Coin
The Legion was founded in 1921 to bring together the four national ex-servicemen’s charities established after the Great War. Today the charity still works tirelessly to provide financial, social and emotional support to all who have served and are currently serving in the British Armed Forces and their families.
Over £500,000 of donations
And, over the last 6 years commemorative coins have helped to support The Legion’s work, with donations arising from their sales, totally over £500,000.
By owning the Battle of the Somme £5 Coin in support of The Royal British Legion, not only are you ensuring that future generation never forget the sacrifices of the Somme and the other World War One battle, but you are also helping support today’s current and ex-servicemen and their families.
Louise Ajdukiewicz, Head of Corporate Partnerships at The Royal British Legion, says: “These funds make a real difference to the charity and help us continue our vital services supporting the whole Armed Forces community.”
Of course, owning the Battle of the Somme £5 Coin is just a small way that you can help support The Royal British Legion. For more information on how you can support The Legion, please click here.
The new face of the £20 banknote has been announced.
The Bank of England recently revealed the face of the new £20 note…
In 2007 a new-style £20 note was introduced, featuring one of the father’s of modern economics, Adam Smith. New security features were added, including a holographic strip, enhanced watermark and ultra-violet features.
However, almost 10 years later The Bank of England has announced an update to the note, with a new design scheduled for 2020.
Meet the new £20 note character: JMW Turner
— Bank of England (@bankofengland) April 22, 2016
Find out more: https://t.co/CsMLVfc9DJ#turner #jmwturner #20poundnote pic.twitter.com/5quxL5SnJz
For the first time ever, The Bank of England asked the British public to nominate people of ‘historical significance‘ from a list of 590 eligible candidates. The candidates, from the world of visual arts, included Alfred Hitchcock, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Richard Attenborough, Beatrix Potter and William Blake to name just a few.
Once the nominations were in, an appointed committee, with input from public focus groups, produced a shortlist of five candidates – artist JMW Turner, designer Josiah Wedgwood, filmmaker Charlie Chaplin, sculptor Barbara Hepworth and painter William Hogarth.
The final decision was made by the Bank’s governor, Mark Carney, and it has now been revealed that a self-portrait of Joseph Mallord William Turner will replace famous economist and philosopher Adam Smith on the new banknote.
Also featured alongside the self-portrait will be ‘The Fighting Temeraire‘ which was painted by Turner in 1839 and is currently on display in the National Gallery.
Turner’s selection represents the first time that the Bank of England has turned to the British public to assist in the selection process. However, it isn’t just the design that’s changing, the note itself will become the third banknote to be made from Polymer – which are more secure, cleaner, durable and environmentally friendly compared to the existing paper notes.
You won’t have to wait until 2020 to see your first polymer UK banknote though, with the new polymer £5 note, featuring Winston Churchill, due to enter circulation September 2016.
Own Britain’s most famous banknote – issued in fine silver.
British banknotes have undergone many changes since their initial introduction in 1697, from the printing techniques and watermarks to the introduction of colour in 1957.
We have a small stock of Britain’s most famous banknote – the ‘White Fiver’ available, which has been issued in Fine Silver.
You can add one to your collection today.
Prince George to appear on a British Stamp for the first time
Prince George appears on a British 1st class stamp issued 21st April 2016 – the first time he will be pictured on our post.
The new stamp is part of a special miniature sheet issued to commemorate the Queen’s 90th Birthday, and forms part of a group shot featuring Princes William and Charles, alongside Her Majesty the Queen herself.
Photographer Ranald Mackechnie captured the shot in Buckingham Palace’s White Drawing Room, with the aid of a few carefully positioned books to bring the young Prince George into the frame.
The miniature sheet harks back to the stamps issued in 2000 for the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday, which also featured a family scene. However this stamp sheet is particularly special, as it is the first time three heirs apparent have posed together in this way.
The new stamps – featuring Prince George for the very first time
Perfect for collecting
The new stamp sheet will be particularly sought-after by collectors, as philatelic ‘firsts’ like this are always in demand – especially when linked to such an important Royal event.
Further adding to the appeal are six more commemorative UK stamps due to be issued simultaneously. Each features a photograph of the Queen from throughout her life, and the images are instantly evocative of her lifetime of service to the country.
Aside from their visual appeal, there are also a number of British ‘firsts’ here too, including the first time the Queen has been pictured on a stamp with a head of state from another country – in this case Nelson Mandela.
Six new GB Stamps issued to mark the Queen’s 90th Birthday
Suffice to say, this impressive new issue is a fitting tribute to The Queen, and these stamps will make a proud addition to the collection of anyone that wants to mark this landmark Royal occasion.
If you’re interested…
You can own ALL six new stamps, plus the miniature sheet, on The Ultimate Queen’s 90th Birthday First Day Cover. Officially postmarked by Royal Mail on the Queen’s Birthday 21st April 2016, this cover is available to order now.