First World War
Every school child on the Isle of Man presented with very special 50p coin!
All those in full time education on the Isle of Man recently received a specially minted coin to mark the First World War Armistice Centenary.
In a move designed to ensure the younger generations do not forget the sacrifices made by those who fought in First World War, they were each given a distinctive 50p coin featuring selectively coloured red poppies. Each coin, commissioned by the Treasury, was presented in its own individual display case to ensure that it could be kept safe and handed down to future generations.
The reverse of this coin features the First World War soldier from the Douglas war memorial, with the words ‘Their name liveth for evermore’ and the dates ‘1914 1918’, beneath which are the Roman numerals ‘XI.XI.XI’ as a reminder of the final time and date of the War’s end.
Coins to enter circulation
There’s also great news for collectors on the Island as Cupro-Nickel versions of these coins, without the selective colouring, will be released into general circulation.
A launch event was held at the Legislative Buildings on the Island with the President of Tynwald, Speaker of the House of Keys, the Chief Minister and Treasury Minister in attendance, along with a number of other specially invited guests.
Specially commissioned Proof version
Working in partnership with the IOM Government, The Westminster Collection developed a proof version of this hugely poignant coin, struck to the highest possible finish. When you consider the importance of the centenary anniversary alongside the tiny worldwide edition limit of just 1,950,it comes as no surprise that they sold out in a matter of days.
However, The Westminster Collection are also offering specially struck collector quality “Brilliant Uncirculated” coins that are guaranteed not to have the scratches and chips of normal circulation coins.
What’s more, this coin has been officially approved and produced in partnership with The Royal British Legion.
10% from the sale of each coin will be donated to the Legion who provide lifelong support for the Armed Forces community- serving men and women, veterans and their families.
If you’re interested…
Today you can secure your very own First World War Centenary 50p. All you have to do is click here >>
100 years, 100 poppies. How this year’s Poppy coin perfectly marks the First World War Centenary.
The official new Poppy Coin has just been issued in support of The Royal British Legion and this year it features a stylised The Royal British Legion red poppy, with a poignant nod to the First World War Centenary. Upon closer inspection the singular poppy is made up of 99 individually engraved red ink poppies, making 100 poppies in total for the centenary year of WWI.
I caught up with designer Christopher Lloyd to ask him about the story behind his design:
“Considering it’s an incredibly important year, the coin had to make reference to the centenary year. However, as it is the only official coin to support The Royal British Legion an essential part of the coin had to be the Legion’s stylised poppy.”
“I designed the coin to feature 99 poppies, all of which are highlighted in red ink and encompassed within one much larger poppy, to directly make reference to the First World War Centenary.”
“It has been an honour to design the 2018 Poppy coin. I hope it helps to support the important work of The Royal British Legion.”
A coin for every collection
This year a whole range of different coin specifications are to be struck, meaning there is a coin for every collector. From a special Proof quality cupro-nickel £5 coin – right up to an astonishing 5oz Gold edition, the new Poppy Coin is undoubtedly a moving tribute to mark Remembrance Day during such an important centenary year.
Officially issued in support of The Royal British Legion
To support the work of The Royal British Legion, The Westminster Collection have organised for a donation from the sale of each coin to go directly to the charity, helping them to continue to provide financial, social and lifelong support to all who have served and are currently serving in the British Armed Forces and their families.
What’s more, since our partnership began we are on target to raise an incredible £1,000,000 in support of The Royal British Legion.
If you’re interested…
The 2018 Remembrance Poppy Coins are available now. Click here for more details and to add one to your collection today >>
This remarkable new Armistice Centenary issue is so unique its production techniques have been kept a closely guarded secret…
100 years ago this year, at 11 o’clock on 11th of November, the guns of war finally fell silent. The First World War was over.
While many fathers, sons, uncles and brothers came home, millions lay where they fell, on the Battlefields of Europe. Those who were lucky enough to be identified were placed in makeshift graves, often only identified by a rifle placed in the earth with his steel helmet placed on top as a final memorial.
To commemorate the Armistice Centenary, The Royal Canadian Mint have issued a remarkable new coin that honours each and every fallen soldier.
Struck in the shape of a WWI Brodie Helmet, it is more deeply curved surface than any other concave or convex-shaped coin I’ve seen before. The design is so unique in fact, that the Mint have kept the minting technique a closely guarded secret.
Although the original helmet would have been cast from Steel, this coin has been struck in the very finest .9999 or “four nines” silver, this is the purest grade of silver available. The Royal Canadian Mint is one of the very few Mints in the world with enough minting expertise able to strike coins with this incredible high relief finish. It’s an exceptional feat of craftsmanship.
What’s more the attention to detail is outstanding, each coin has been given a final antique finish and there are even engraved cracks and markings which complete the helmet’s battle-worn appearance. A reminder of the hardships endured by those who fought.
The amount of 2018 Silver ‘Helmet-Shaped’ coins available is very low. A worldwide edition limit of just 6,500 has been set by the Mint, but of course many of these won’t even make it out of Canada. Without any doubt, this has to be one of the most collectable issues ever struck.
The First World War will always be known as one of Man Kind’s darkest hours but poignant issues like this one allow us to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
If you’re interested…
We have just 500 WWI Lest We Forget Silver ‘Helmet-Shaped’ coins available for UK collectors, but to get one you’ll have to act quickly.
Click here for more details >>