Posts Tagged ‘World war 2’
The Battle of the Atlantic £2 Coin Set
The Battle of the Atlantic was a pivotal campaign during the Second World War, spanning from 1939 to 1945. It was the longest-lasting battle of the entire conflict, and 2023 marks the 80th anniversary of a crucial turning point known as ‘Black May.’ During this period, 25 percent of the German U-boat fleet was destroyed, signalling a significant shift in the tide of the war. To honour this historic event, a special three-coin Brilliant Uncirculated £2 set has been released.
Use the interactive image below to explore this brand new set and witness a Battle in the Atlantic.
Three Unique Designs
Renowned coin artist David Lawrence has crafted three distinct designs for this special set, each depicting a crucial moment from the Battle of the Atlantic. These designs not only serve as a testament to the bravery and sacrifices made by those who participated but also as an educational tool, reminding us of the importance of this historical event. Each coin tells a story.
CONVOY
Merchant ships are being targeted by a U-boat. You can see the periscope viewfinder as part of the design. By May 1945, in the Atlantic alone, over 2,200 British and Allied merchant ships had been sunk, totalling well over 13 million tons, as well as 100 Allied naval vessels and 600 RAF Coastal Command aircraft. Of these ships, no less than 2003 had been sunk by U-boats.
MAP
This design shows a map of the shipping lane main routes. There are silhouettes of the ships and U-boats; it also shows the key action zones during the ongoing battle.
LIFEBOAT
The third coin depicts a scene of destruction where a U-boat has succeeded. A lifeboat is picking up survivors from the wreck as the burning ship sinks in the background.
The coins in this set have been struck to a superior Brilliant Uncirculated quality. This means they are in pristine condition, free from the wear and tear found on circulating coins.
To preserve the quality of these commemorative coins for generations to come, they are presented in a stunning presentation pack. This protective housing not only adds to their visual appeal but also safeguards them from potential damage.
By owning this set, you not only possess a piece of history but also contribute to preserving the memory of those who fought valiantly during this critical campaign of World War II. Don’t miss the opportunity to reserve yours today and honour the heroes of the Battle of the Atlantic.
The making of a true Masterpiece…
Each year Remembrance Sunday provides an opportunity for the nation to reflect on those brave men and women who gave their lives fighting for our freedom. But this year will be especially poignant. As we also commemorate the 80th Anniversary of one of the truly remarkable chapters in our nation’s history – the Battle of Britain.
Introducing the official 2020 Remembrance Masterpiece Silver 5oz Poppy Coin
There is one coin that avid collectors await the release of – the “Masterpiece Poppy Coin”. The name says it all. Cutting edge minting techniques and materials, representing the pinnacle of craftsmanship. But let me explain what makes this year’s Masterpiece Poppy so special…
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Take a look at the images and you’ll see that a single stylised Royal British Legion poppy, proudly sits on top of this coin. Multiple poppies have then been engraved into the surface of the coin, resulting in an exceptional 3 dimensional effect.
But the incredibly rare facet of this year’s poppy coin is that it’s been crafted from a genuine piece of Spitfire.
Expertly crafted from a Spitfire with a remarkable story to tell
Incredibly, this year, the silver poppy that adorns the reverse of each of these coins has been made from a piece of Spitfire PM631 – ensuring each coin is uniquely different and features a piece of tangible aerial history.
Originally built in late 1945, the Spitfire PM631 saw service with the Battle of Britain memorial flight for nearly FIFTY years between 1957 and 2006. You may also remember that it had a starring role in a famous WWII Movie – Battle of Britain, made in 1969.
Once the Spitfire piece has been melted down and poured into a shaped mould, it is cooled and cleaned to create the high-relief poppy. After this, it is laser engraved with the official Spitfire plane from which the metal was taken – PM631. Check out the images below to see the process the Spitfire metal goes through to come a Masterpiece poppy…
But even then, it is important to remember, this is NOT a cast piece. The surface of the coin has actually been struck in sterling silver and has then expertly plated in 24ct gold. The finish is a stunning matte appearance achieved using a technique called ‘Sandblasting’. This means it has all of the detail that you expect from a commemorative coin but allows you to touch the coin and hold a genuine, iconic piece of history in the palm of your hand.
As I am sure you can appreciate, given all of the individual elements that have to be carefully curated for each individual coin, the edition limit as a consequence is incredibly low. In fact, only 300 of these coins have been produced, with number one fittingly being donated to The Royal British Legion themselves. Which means only 299 coins remain for collectors.
We do not expect these coins to be around for long. And remember, for each coin sold a donation will go straight to The Royal British Legion in support of all their work.
Available now – with a donation to The Royal British Legion
The 2020 Masterpiece 5oz Silver Proof Poppy Coin is available to own right now from The Westminster Collection, although they are expected to sell out quickly.
To further support the work of The Royal British Legion, a donation of £59.50 from the sale of each coin will go directly to the charity, helping them to continue to provide financial, social and life-long support to the Armed Forces community.
£1,100,000 Milestone
What’s more, since our partnership began and through the sales of commemorative Remembrance and Poppy-themed coins, collectors have helped raise an incredible £1.1 Million for The Royal British Legion!
This is an achievement that everyone is immensely proud of, and we are hugely thankful to collectors for helping raise such an amazing amount.
If you’d like to find out more about the fantastic work that The Royal British Legion do and why we are so proud of this milestone £1.1 Million that has been raised for the charity, then click here to read more…