Posts Tagged ‘Military’
Three medals, two Kings, one incredible coin – The Stories of the Second World War 50p
The 2025 Stories of the Second World War 50p represents the impactful stories of those who lived through World War II, that will unfortunately soon fade from living memory. It also marks a historic first for British coinage, as it’s the first UK 50p to feature two different Kings – King George VI on the reverse and His Majesty King Charles III on the obverse!
Three Medals
The design on the Stories of the Second World War 50p was created by Timothy Noad with the assistance of Imperial War Museums, and depicts the medals awarded to millions who contributed to the cause. The medals featured include the 1939-45 Star, Defence Medal and War Medal, representing the countless unique experiences of the Second World War.
The 1939-45 Star (left) was awarded to personnel of the Navy, Army or RAF personnel who completed operational service overseas between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945 (2 Sept 1945 in Far East). The medal is a 6 pointed star with the crowned royal cipher of George VI on the obverse and the reverse is blank as with all World War II stars.
Image Credit: Auckland Museum, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Defence Medal (centre) was awarded to military and civilian subjects of the British Commonwealth during the Second World War and bears the uncrowned coinage effigy of George VI on the obverse. On the reverse of the medal was the Royal crown atop an oak tree, flanked by two heraldic lions.
Credit: Robert Prummel, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The War Medal (right) was the most common medal awarded to British and Commonwealth citizens who served in the Armed Forces or Merchant Navy during World War II. It features a crowned effigy of George VI on the obverse and a lion trampling on a monster with features of both an eagle and serpent on the reverse.
Credit: Acabashi, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Two Kings
Two of the three medals that features on the Stories of World War II 50p feature the effigy of King George VI, who was reigning monarch from 1936-1952 – the entirety of the Second World War. This, along with the portrait of King Charles III that features on the obverse of the coin, makes the first time ever that two different Kings have features on a UK 50p coin!
Two different Kings have previously featured on crowns, such as the 2023 King Charles I 1oz and the 2023 Charles II 1oz, however this is the first time in living memory – maybe even ever – that two different Kings have featured on the same 50p coins.
One incredible coin
The Second World War was a time when extraordinary courage and relentless effort came from all corners of the UK and the Commonwealth, forever shaping modern British society. From the battlefields to the home front, everyone played a role in the war effort—each story, a testament to resilience and unity.
These stories have been immortalised on the 2025 Stories of the Second World War 50p, preserving them for generations to come, and you can own a piece of history by securing it for your collection in Brilliant Uncirculated quality.
Our military history on UK coins
1994 D-Day 50p
The 1994 D-Day 50p was issued to mark the 50th anniversary of the Normandy Landings. This coin was originally issued in the larger 50p specification, meaning you’re no longer able to find it in your change. It was later re-issued in 2019 in the smaller 50p specification, however this version didn’t enter circulation.
Interestingly, the 1994 D-Day 50p was voted the all time favourite 50p coin by Change Checkers!
2024 D-Day 50p
30 years later in 2024, a new D-Day UK 50p was issued, this time marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The design was created by renowned sculptor David Lawrence in collaboration with Imperial War Museums and depicts brave Allied troops risking their lives on that fateful day.
This coin didn’t enter circulation, but when paired with the 1994 D-Day 50p, makes for a poignant reminder of the incredibly important day in history.
VC Medal and Heroic Acts 50ps
In 2006, two 50p coins were issued to mark 150 years of the Victoria Cross award – the highest and most prestigious decoration of the British decorations system. One of the coins features the Victoria Cross medal itself, a bronze cross pattée bearing the crown of Saint Edward surmounted by a lion, and the inscription “for valour”.
The other 50p represents the Heroic Acts carried out by those who received the award, with a soldier carrying a wounded comrade against a silhouette of the Victoria Cross medal.
The original 2006 issues of these coins entered circulation, however they were both re-issued in 2019 as part of the 50th Anniversary of the 50p Military History Collection.
Battle of Britain 50p
The Battle of Britain was an intense air battle fought mainly throughout the summer of 1940 between Germany and Britain. To commemorate 75 years since the great battle, The Royal Mint issued this 50p in 2015.
Designed by sculptor Gary Breeze, this coin quickly gained interest from collectors due to the three different obverses when it was initially minted. Find out more about that here >>
Like the VC 50ps, the Battle of Britain 50p was also re-issued in 2019 in the Military History 50p Collection.
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75th Anniversary of the End of the Second World War commemorated on BRAND NEW £5 coin!
2020 marks the 75 years since the end of the Second World War and in commemoration this brand new UK £5 coin has been issued, honouring the struggles and sacrifices made to achieve lasting peace.
Designers Matt Dent and Christian Davies have included the words ‘WAR’ and ‘PEACE’ on the reverse of this coin. This brand new £5 coin’s design was said to be inspired by stone war memorials, paying tribute to the millions of lives lost during the six years of conflict.
To mark this special anniversary, this £5 coin has been issued in a number of different specifications, including Brilliant Uncirculated quality for just £10.99 (+p&p).
Victory in Europe and Japan
Whilst Victory in Europe (VE) Day in May 1945 marked the start of the end of the war, in the Far East, Japan was yet to be defeated and the war raged on for three more months.
Atomic bombs were used by American forces, which largely destroyed the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6th and 9th and left devastating effects of nuclear radiation for decades to come.
Although he never used the word ‘surrender’, the Japanese emperor Hirohito announced on the 15th August 1945, that he had told his government to accept the demands of the Allies and thus, over Asia and the Pacific, Japanese troops began to lay down their weapons.
This announcement marked the official end to the Second World War for all countries and nations involved.
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of this day and the end of the Second World War, The Royal Mint have issued this brand new £5 coin to preserve the history of this momentous day for generations to come.
But this new release isn’t the only UK coin to commemorate past military conflicts or battles…
2020 UK Victory in Europe Day £2
Issued by The Royal Mint, this 2020 VE Day £2 features a woman holding a newspaper aloft in a crowd of celebrating people, set against a backdrop of the word VICTORY.
2020 marks a particularly poignant anniversary as we celebrate 75 years since Victory in Europe Day. Many celebrations had been scheduled to mark this joyous occasion, including rescheduling the Early May Bank Holiday to the 8th, but were not able to take place due to the pandemic.
In place of the big parties that were planned, people took to their doorsteps to sing and raise a glass over their fence with their neighbours!
The edge inscription of this coin reads ‘JUST TRIUMPH AND PROUD SORROW’ which is incredibly fitting for a coin which marks such a historic anniversary.
2019 D-Day Landings £2
D-Day was the largest seaborne invasion in history. It took place on 6th June 1944 and began the liberation of German-occupied France during WWII, laying the foundations of the Allied victory.
Designed by renowned Royal Mint engraver, Stephen Taylor, this coin was issued in 2019 to mark the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings. It features arrows each pointing across the English Channel to Normandy. Each arrow also has one of the code names used for each of the beaches where Allied troops landed – Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword.
This £2 coin is a timeless tribute to the thousands of Allied troops who fought tirelessly and sacrificed their lives to make the Normandy landings a success.
2015 Battle of Britain 50p
The Battle of Britain was an intense air battle fought mainly throughout the summer of 1940 between Germany and Britain. The name for the conflict was derived from a Winston Churchill speech in which he said “The Battle of France is over. I expect the Battle of Britain is about to begin”.
Ultimately it was a decisive victory for the RAF and Britain, and crucially it was the first time Germany had faced defeat in World War Two. The reverse design of this commemorative 50p depicts three airmen scrambling towards their planes.
This coin has a circulating mintage of 5,900,000.
2018 First World War (Armistice) £2
Armistice marked the start of the end of the First World War and the victory of the Allies on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918.
In 2018, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of this significant victory, The Royal mint issued this £2 coin. It was issued as part of a commemorative £2 coin series from 2014-2018 to mark the centenary of the First World War.
The reverse was designed by Stephen Raw and features the words ‘The truth untold, the pity of war’, from the Wilfred Owen poem Strange Meeting. The words stand out on a mud-like background in the centre of the £2.
2018 RAF £2 Series
The Royal Air Force was formed on April 1st 1918, in the early years of aviation. It was the world’s first independent air force, and is recognised today all over the world for its capability, courage and innovation.
In 2018, a series of £2 coins were issued, including the coin pictured above, commemorating the centenary of the RAF’s establishment.
Each stunning design features an iconic RAF aircraft, from the modern F35 Lightning to the famous Spitfire, with the first coin in the series being this £2 coin, which celebrates the Royal Air Force as a whole.
The reverse features a design by Rhys Morgan of the Badge of the RAF – an eagle flies in front of a circle inscribed with the official motto ‘Per Ardua Ad Astra’, which is Latin for ‘Through adversity to the stars’, with the Imperial Crown at the top.
If the popularity of previous military themed coins is anything to go by, we’re expecting this brand new £5 coin to be a firm favourite with collectors!
What’s your favourite military coin that you have in your collection? Let us know in the comments below.
Secure the BRAND NEW 2020 UK 75th Anniversary of the End of the Second World War £5 for JUST £10.99 (+p&p)
The five 50p coins RE-ISSUED to celebrate British Military History
As many collectors will know, 2019 marked the 50th Anniversary of the 50p coin.
Since its issue in 1969, the world’s first seven-sided coin has become a huge favourite with collectors and has served as a canvas to commemorate some of the most iconic moments in British Military history.
In 2019, to celebrate the milestone anniversary, The Royal Mint’s re-issued five of the most important 50p coins celebrating British Military history.
These five 50p coins, pieced together for the first time, marked a rare milestone moment for British Coinage. Not to mention the set also included the 1994 D-Day 50p re-issued in the NEW 50p specifications for the first time ever!
Find out the story of each of the coins featured in the British Military 50p Set below…
Victoria Cross Medal 50p
The Victoria Cross is the highest award for gallantry that a British serviceman can achieve. A recommendation for the Victoria Cross is normally issued by an officer at regimental level and has to be supported by three witnesses.
This coin was originally issued in 2006 to mark the 150th Anniversary of the Victoria Cross.
Depicting the obverse and reverse of a Victoria Cross medal, the design by Claire Aldridge carefully details the Cross pattée with a crown and Lion as on the medal itself.
Victoria Cross Heroic Acts 50p
The Victoria Cross Award was introduced in 1856 by Queen Victoria to honour acts of the Crimean War.
Since then, two-thirds of all awards won have been presented by the British Monarch at investitures which are usually held at Buckingham Palace.
To date, the medal has been awarded 1,358 times. A large number of these were awarded during the World Wars: 634 in World War One and 182 awarded in World War Two.
Initially issued in 2006 to mark 150 years of the Victoria Cross Award, this coin features a soldier carrying a wounded comrade with an outline of the Victoria Cross as designed by Clive Duncan.
Battle of Hastings 50p
The Battle of Hastings was fought on the 14th of October 1066 between the French Army, led by Duke William II, and the English Army led by King Harold.
King Harold was eventually defeated by William who then became known as William the Conqueror; he was crowned the first Norman King of Great Britain.
Issued in 2016 to mark 950 years since this legendary battle, the reverse design of this 50p by John Bergdahl was inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry.
Battle of Britain 50p
The Battle of Britain was an intense air battle fought mainly throughout the summer of 1940 between Germany and Britain.
The name for the conflict was derived from a Winston Churchill speech in which he said “The Battle of France is over. I expect the Battle of Britain is about to begin.”
Marking the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain this coin was first issued in 2015. The reverse design, by Gary Breeze, depicts three airmen running to their planes with enemy aircraft overhead.
D-Day Landing 50p
On 6th June 1944 a mighty alliance of British, American and Commonwealth armed forces crossed from England to Normandy and began assault on German forces. It was the largest seaborne invasion in history and began the liberation of German-occupied France, laying the foundations for the Allied victory of World War Two.
A timeless tribute to the thousands of Allied troops who fought tirelessly in the War, this 50p coin was issued in 1994 to commemorate 50 years since D-Day.
Originally struck as a large 50p in the pre-1997 specifications this is the first time ever this D-Day 50p coin has been issued in the new 50p dimensions!
The reverse of the coin was designed by John Mills and represents the D-Day Landings with the Allied invasion force heading for Normandy filling the sea and sky.
Which of these coins representing British military history is your favourite? And did you manage to secure the 2019 re-issued coin set? Let us know in the comment!