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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.
A Tribute to Royal Service: The VE Day 80th Anniversary Commemorative Set
Eighty years ago, on the 8th of May 1945, the United Kingdom and its Allies celebrated the end of the Second World War in Europe. VE Day remains one of the most significant milestones in our nation’s modern history — a moment of relief, reflection, and remembrance. As the nation marks the 80th anniversary of this historic occasion, a special commemorative release honours those who led with quiet courage and steadfast duty: the British Royal Family.
The VE Day 80th Anniversary Royals in Wartime Commemorative Set brings together five powerful scenes from the Second World War, each highlighting the unwavering role of the Royal Family during Britain’s time of greatest need. With strictly limited sets available, this carefully curated collection offers a poignant tribute to their service, sacrifice, and unity with the British people.
A Legacy of Duty in Five Remarkable Moments
Each of the five medals within the set features an original design by acclaimed artist Jean-Michel Girard, capturing a different facet of the Royals’ wartime involvement. These pieces are more than commemoratives — they are historical reflections rendered in lasting form.
Queen Elizabeth Visiting Bombed Areas (1940)
As the Blitz devastated London and other cities, Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother) walked the bombed streets, offering words of comfort and solidarity to those affected. Her presence was both reassuring and defiant — an enduring symbol of resilience.
Princess Elizabeth in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (1945)
In 1945, at the age of 18, Princess Elizabeth — our future Queen — joined the ATS and trained as a mechanic and driver. The medal portraying this moment honours a young woman who served not in name only, but with her hands and her time, setting a powerful example of service.
The Royal Family on VE Day (1945)
On Victory in Europe Day, the Royal Family appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace before vast and jubilant crowds. This moment, immortalised in photographs and memory, spoke of national unity, relief, and the enduring bond between monarchy and people.
Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret on VE Day (1945)
In a rare and touching gesture, the young princesses ventured into the crowds to celebrate among the public, sharing in the joy and freedom that VE Day brought. Their presence was personal, sincere, and deeply human.
King George VI Visiting a Munitions Factory (1940)
Throughout the war, King George VI offered calm, determined leadership. His visits to bomb sites, military installations, and factories — including the Nottingham munitions factory depicted here — lifted morale and reminded Britons that they were not alone.
A Fitting Tribute — Limited to Just 1,945 Sets Worldwide
To honour this legacy, only 1,945 sets have been issued — a meaningful reference to the year VE Day was declared. Each set is presented in a themed display box and accompanied by an official Certificate of Authenticity, underscoring its significance and rarity.
This is a collection designed for those with a deep appreciation for history, tradition, and the values that carried Britain through war — courage, compassion, and unity.
Whether you are a dedicated collector of Royal memorabilia, a student of Britain’s wartime past, or someone who simply wishes to honour the contributions of the Royal Family, this commemorative set serves as a distinguished addition to any collection.
Preserving Memory with Dignity
In commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day, this set does more than mark a date — it honours a generation, a Royal Family, and the enduring relationship between duty and service.
The Royals in Wartime Commemorative Set invites reflection. It encourages remembrance. And it ensures that these important stories — of leadership, solidarity, and sacrifice — are never forgotten.
Secure your limited edition set while it is available, and hold a piece of history in your hands.
Rare WWII Coin Set: How Seven Wartime Coins Tell the Story of Britain in WWII
There’s something deeply powerful about holding history in your hands – the kind of tactile connection that takes you beyond textbooks and museum displays. That’s exactly the experience offered by the World War II Threepence Collector’s Frame: a rare and exclusive set of seven original British brass threepence coins, each minted during a year of global conflict that reshaped the world.
Spanning 1939 to 1945, these coins are more than currency – they’re miniature monuments to courage, endurance, and a nation’s resilience during the Second World War. And now, for a select few, they’re available to own, preserved in a premium frame that does justice to their incredible story.
Coins That Crossed the Frontlines of History
Imagine where these coins have been. Perhaps a 1940 threepence passed from a mother’s hand to her child at a train station, just before an evacuation to the countryside. Maybe a 1944 piece was used by a soldier buying a pint in a London pub before heading to the beaches of Normandy. Or a 1942 coin clinked in the pocket of a munitions factory worker during a night shift beneath the blackout blinds.
Each coin in this collection bears the effigy of King George VI, a stoic symbol of wartime leadership. And each features the twelve-sided brass design that became iconic during the war years – sturdy, unmistakable, and quintessentially British.
A Curated Tribute to a Nation’s Finest Hour
The WWII Threepence Collector’s Frame isn’t just a set of coins – it’s a story told in seven chapters. Housed in a bespoke collector’s frame adorned with evocative wartime artwork, this collection is as much a display piece as it is a historical archive.
Only 1,939 of these limited-edition frames have been authorised for worldwide release – a number carefully chosen to honour the year the war began. That rarity ensures each piece remains as exclusive as it is meaningful, appealing to both numismatists and history lovers alike.
The Perfect Commemoration for the 80th VE Day Anniversary
With the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day coming in May 2025, this is the perfect time to secure a commemorative piece that truly matters. Whether you’re a collector seeking the next centrepiece for your collection or a history enthusiast yearning for a deeper connection to the past, this frame is a rare opportunity – a moment frozen in time, cast in brass, and bound by history.