The Royal British Legion Armistice Medal – Inspired by veterans from Bravo 22 Company, created by Mint Editions

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2018 marks 100 years since the day the Allies of World War I and Germany signed an armistice for the cessation of all hostilities on the Western Front. This took effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918.

For this special centenary year we have worked closely with The Royal British Legion, including five veterans from Bravo 22 Company, as well as numismatic artist Michael Guilfoyle, to design a poignant Armistice Commemorative Medal for the Centenary.

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Bravo 22 Company

Bravo 22 Company, which is made possible by The Royal British Legion and The Drive Project, has been successfully running theatre and art projects across the UK since 2011.

The projects are open to all members of the Armed Forces Community, including serving personnel, veterans and their family members and are designed to improve self-esteem, confidence and motivation, as well as help individuals along their paths to recovery.


The design process

The design process began with a creative workshop led by numismatic artist Michael Guilfoyle, at the Legion’s Pop In centre in Bristol. Five alumni from Bravo 22 Company were invited to join the workshop, all of whom have served in the Armed Forces. The participants were encouraged to draw on their experiences in the military to create a fitting tribute for the Armistice 100 year centenary anniversary.

 

 

Mike started the session with an introduction to medal design and explained the process from the initial ideas stage through to final production. Coins and medals generally offer a relatively small canvas to the artist, so Mike explained the importance of using a simple composition to create a strong and impactful design.

To generate some key themes, Mike had everyone write down words they associated with the First World War and Armistice. These were then used to inspire the visual design stage, where everyone began to sketch ideas.

The rest of the workshop was spent developing the rough sketches into more refined ideas.

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The finished design

Taking inspiration from the original designs of the veterans, Mike was able to create the striking and poignant designs that feature on the medal.

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If you’re interested: RBL 2018 Bravoo 22 Armistice Antique Medal Obverse Reverse - The Royal British Legion Armistice Medal – Inspired by veterans from Bravo 22 Company, created by Mint Editions

The Royal British Legion 2018 Armistice Medal is available to own today. Due to its significance, the medal has been issued in partnership with The Royal British Legion and Bravo 22 Company. If you choose to own one, we will ensure a donation is made to them on your behalf.

Click here for more details >>

Brand New British Isles 50p marks the Queen’s 65th Coronation Anniversary

This year, Her Majesty the Queen celebrates her Sapphire Coronation Anniversary – 65 years since she was crowned at Westminster Abbey in 1953.

As the world’s longest reigning living monarch, she will be the first monarch in British history to celebrate a Sapphire Coronation, an historic achievement to be recognised as part of her record-breaking reign.

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Elizabeth ascended the throne at the age of 25, upon the death of her father, King George VI in 1952. After a year’s mourning period, she was crowned Queen in a coronation ceremony steeped with tradition. Millions tuned in to listen to the ceremony on the radio and, for the first time ever, the proceedings were able to be watched on live television.

In celebration of the Sapphire Coronation, a limited set of special commemorative 50p coins have just been officially approved by Buckingham Palace.

Fittingly, the first coin is engraved with the words of the Coronation Oath,

 

The things which I have here before promised, I will perform and keep. So help me God.

 

The other four 50p coins each feature a different element of the Coronation: The St Edwards Crown, The Orb, The Gold State Coach and The Imperial State Crown.

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The UK’s most collectable coins…

 

The 50p coin has rapidly become the UK’s most collectable coin, spurred on by the release of the Olympic 50p coins, the Platinum Wedding Anniversary and more recently, the incredible demand for the Beatrix Potter 50p coins.

Most importantly, each of the five coins in the Sapphire Coronation 50p Coin Set have been authorised by the Isle of Man Treasury, have full legal status AND a very limited number will enter circulation in the Isle of Man.

British Isles 50p coins like this rarely turn up in UK change, which is bound to make these some of the most sought-after circulating coins around.

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The coins are all available now from The Westminster Collection, struck to a range of specifications, from Brilliant Uncirculated through Silver Proof, right up to a stunning 22 Carat Gold piece.

 


 

Due to its very limited nature, we will contact you directly to discuss owning the Gold Proof 50p.

Please complete the form below:

 


If you’re interested…

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The 50p Set to mark the Queen’s 65th Coronation anniversary is available to purchase in Superior Brilliant Uncirculated collector’s quality.

Order the Complete set here.

Meet the FOUR new 2018 Beatrix Potter 50p coins…

Four new Beatrix Potter 50p silver coins have been revealed by The Royal Mint. Flopsy Bunny, the Tailor of Gloucester, and Mrs Tittlemouse all feature for the first time on UK coinage – whilst Peter Rabbit returns for the third year in a row.

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The four coins issued last year by The Royal Mint created a collecting storm when 30,000 Peter Rabbit Silver 50p’s sold out in just ONE day, making it the fastest selling and most popular Silver UK 50p coin EVER

And now they’re issuing BRAND NEW designs for 2018. 

Here’s a first look at the new silver coins, with details of when they are available…

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The 2018 Peter Rabbit Silver 50p Coin. Edition Limit: 35,000

2018 Peter Rabbit 50p

Back by popular demand is everyone’s favourite bunny – Peter Rabbit.

Probably Beatrix Potter’s most familiar character, the Peter Rabbit Silver 50p, which features the cheeky Rabbit eating carrots from Mr. Mcgregor’s garden, is bound to be incredibly sought-after.

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The 2018 Flopsy Bunny Silver 50p Coin. Edition Limit: 35,000.

 

2018 Flopsy Bunny 50p

This silver 50p, due to be released in March, pictures the loveable Flopsy Bunny – who, with thanks to her family, manages to narrowly avoid Mr. McGregor’s capture and later get revenge.

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The 2018 Tailor of Gloucester Silver 50p Coin. Edition Limit: 30,000

 

2018 the Tailor of Gloucester 50p

Available in April, the Tailor of Gloucester Silver 50p features the original illustration from the front cover of Beatrix Potter’s book. A charming tale of a grateful mouse who after being saved from a ferocious cat, goes onto repay his savior, a tailor, by working on and completing, the tailors waistcoat.

All four coins have been struck to a fine ‘proof finish.’ It really brings the designs to life – and is often referred to as ‘the collector’s favourite’ due the high level of craftsmanship required to achieve the result.

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The 2018 Mrs Tittlemouse Silver 50p Coin. Edition Limit: 30,000.

2018 Mrs Tittlemouse 50p

The last coin to be made available in May introduces another of Beatrix Potter’s creations, Mrs Tittlemouse. The charming tale focuses on Mrs Tittlemouse, a tidy little mouse who struggles to keep her home from being invaded by messy insects. The illustration featured on the coin is taken from the original front cover.

I’m sure you’ll agree, these four coins are the perfect continuation of the series, and really capture the nostalgic charm of Beatrix Potter’s original stories.

But if there’s one lesson you can take from last year, make sure you get yours early – before they sell out!


If you’re interested…Beatrix Potter 2017 Silver Proof 50p Peter Rabbit social media image 1080px 1024x1024 - Meet the FOUR new 2018 Beatrix Potter 50p coins...

You can secure the Peter Rabbit 2018 Silver 50p today, click here for more information >>