Uncategorized
The story behind this year’s RBL Masterpiece Poppy Coin
Want to know how a 1945 British Army Mess Tin, a WWII Spitfire and a D-Day Landing Craft have been repurposed to serve as a poignant tribute to the fallen? Keep reading to find out.
Army Mess Tins 
WWII Spitfire 
Landing Crafts on D-Day
Since 2004, The Westminster Collection has felt honored to be in partnership with the Royal British Legion, supporting them year on year by raising funds which enable them to continue to provide financial, social and emotional support to members and veterans of the UK Armed Forces, their families and dependents.
In support of the Royal British Legion, each year we produce a stand-out coin to mark Remembrance Day. We call it the ‘Masterpiece’.
And now, we’re excited to announce details of this year’s ‘Masterpiece’ coin…
Masterpiece Poppy Coin mould 
Masterpiece Poppy Coin centrepiece
When you discover the story behind the metal used to create this coin, you’ll quickly realize that it’s one of the most unique and historically fascinating coins ever released. It really does live up to its name.
The Masterpiece
As this year marks the Centenary of the Royal British Legion, an exceptional Masterpiece Poppy Coin has been released, commemorating this important milestone. It represents the three military facets of RBL ─ the Army, RAF and the Navy.
This is why we commissioned a three-dimensional ‘1921 style’ Poppy to be crafted from three pieces of historic metal representing the three divisions of the military:
1. WWII Spitfire ─ to be precise, the MK356, which flew during the D-Day campaign and shot down a German Me Bf109
2. A British Army Mess Tin from 1945
3. Landing Craft LCT7074 ─ the actual craft that landed on Gold Beach during D-Day
Historic Metals ─ crafted into a Masterpiece…
We acquired the craft metal with the kind assistance of the National Museum of the Royal Navy at Portsmouth, allowing us to source the substance from the original steel plating of the landing craft LCT 7074. LCT 7074 landed on Gold Beach on D-Day, 6th June 1944, and the plating used is from the hull that was physically in contact with the actual beach on D-Day itself. Today, LCT is the only surviving Landing Craft Tank left from this momentous day.
The LCT 7074 last surviving Landing Craft in Portsmouth 
Extracting steel from the LCT 7074 Landing Craft Tank 
Steel taken from the LCT 7074 Landing Craft
You may notice dark spots visible within the red enamel of some Poppies ─ and these are the filings from the historic LCT 7074 Steel.
Filing the steel taken from the LCT 7074 Landing Craft 
Steel filings from the LCT 7074 Landing Craft placed into the red enamel liquid for the Masterpiece Poppy Coin
The material used derived from Army origins is a combination of ex-MK356 metal and 1945 dated ex-British Army Mess Tins, mixed to a 50:50 ratio. The MK-356, officially named the Spitfire Mk IX, took an active part in D-Day operations in June 1944. The original wing main spar was removed around the year 2008, and it is this metal that has been combined with the Mess Tins.
Army mess tins being melted down 
Army mess tin turning to liquid under heat
Mess tins were and still are used for a number of different things within the Army. Soldiers use them to heat food, eat from, boil water and to wash and shave in. They can be cleaned easily and used for storage of other items.
Hot Army mess tin melted liquid being handled 
Hot Army mess tin melted liquid
During the Second World War, aluminum was a scarce commodity primarily reserved for aircraft production, and whilst perhaps not as romantic as the Spitfire, these tins are significant items ─ because an army marches on its stomach!
Poppy mould being put in liquid to begin the process of shaping the centrepiece for the Masterpiece 2021 Poppy Coin 
Masterpiece Poppy Coin centrepiece having come out of the liquid 
Masterpiece Poppy Coin centrepiece having been cleaned 
Individual Masterpiece Poppy Coin centrepieces 
Masterpiece Poppy Coin centrepiece being filled in with the red enamel liquid 
The Masterpiece Poppy Coin Centrepiece
What’s more, it has been struck from 5oz of fine 999/1000 Silver and is an impressive 65mm in diameter!
If you’re interested…
TROTTERS INDEPENDENT TRADING CO. SPECIAL – Brand new Only Fools and Horses Commemoratives released
On the 8th September 1981 over 9 million people sat down at their televisions to watch a brand new show called ‘Only Fools and Horses’. Little did we know that this show would one day become one of the top British television programmes of all-time.
Over a total of 10 years, 7 series, 64 episodes and 16 Christmas specials we followed the trials and tribulations of ambitious market trader Derek ‘Del Boy’ Trotter (played by David Jason) and his idealistic younger brother Rodney Trotter (played by Nicholas Lyndhurst) in their attempts to get rich! Supported by a cast of colourful characters including Grandad, Trigger, Boycie and Uncle Albert.
This time next year we’ll be millionaires…
No other TV show has influenced British culture as much. Critically and popularly acclaimed, the series received numerous awards. It was voted Britain’s Best Sitcom in 2004 and in a BBC poll Del Boy was ranked fourth on their list of the 100 Greatest TV Characters.
Its success spawned a successful spin-off series, ‘The Green Green Grass,’ a Sport Relief special episode guest starring David Beckham, and even a musical adaptation of the show was created which launched at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London’s West End!
The final episode in which the Trotters finally became millionaires was watched by 24.3 million viewers and holds the record for the highest UK audience for a sitcom episode.
So to celebrate the 40th anniversary of one of Britain’s greatest TV shows a number of brand new officially licensed Only Fools and Horses Commemoratives have been released… ‘lovely jubbly’!
‘Triffic’ BRAND NEW Only Fools and Horses Commemorative Set
Officially licensed by the BBC each commemorative in this set has been struck to a proof-like finish and features a design of some of the most popular characters from the programme; including, Del Boy, Rodney Trotter, Boycie, Trigger, Grandad and Uncle Albert.
Limited to just 9,995 collectors worldwide, this is one of the only ways you can own all 7 commemoratives. They will arrive protectively sealed in an official presentation pack.
This complete set is a MUST-HAVE for any Only Fools and Horses Fan and is available for your collection today for JUST £39.99 (+p&p). Click here to secure yours >>
The Only Fools and Horses SUPERSIZE Commemorative!
This NEW Supersize Only Fools and Horses Commemorative has been expertly finished in antique silver and features a most intricate design of Britain’s most beloved three-wheel car – the Reliant Regal! It has then been carefully finished with the addition of vivid colour – to really bring the ‘Trotters Independent Trading Co.’ car to life!
But, JUST 995 will be released for collectors worldwide! That makes it 10 TIMES more limited than the complete commemorative set and therefore one of the most limited ways in which you can own a commemorative for the 40th Anniversary.
Arriving in a Deluxe Presentation Case with a Certificate of Authenticity, uniquely numbered with your place in the edition limit, this is the perfect way to remember such an iconic show. Click here to secure your SUPERSIZE Only Fools and Horses Commemorative now >>
Don’t miss out. As Del Boy would say, ‘He who dares, wins! He who hesitates…don’t.’
‘Bonjour.’
FIRST LOOK: Unboxing Alice Through the Looking-Glass Silver Proof 50ps
Today’s video is a special one, as I give you an exclusive FIRST LOOK at the Alice Through the Looking-Glass Silver Proof 50p collection.
Issued to celebrate Lewis Carroll’s literary classic ‘Through the Looking-Glass, and what Alice found there’, today’s new release follows in the footsteps of these Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland 50p coins that quickly became one of the most popular coins releases of the year.
And In the video I’ll reveal exactly what you’ll find inside of the limited edition Silver Proof collection that only 1,995 collectors can own!
If you’re interested…
