Royal Mint commemorates a century of remembrance for the sacrifices of the First World War multitudes

The Royal Mint’s latest Remembrance Day coin is now available and has been issued in a gold variant for the first time. This year marks the 100th time that the Remembrance Day service has been held, starting just one year after the end of what until then had been mankind’s greatest conflagration.

This is a typical design, featuring the iconic poppy motif that has become so inextricably linked with this annual commemoration. We preferred last years excellent design, to be honest, but this one gets the job done and is a nice way to honour the sacrifice of those who have given so much in all the wars of the last century.

Three versions this year. The same 1oz (standard, not troy) of sterling 0.925 silver constitutes the main offering, with a piedfort coin of 2oz being identical in every way except thickness. The new kid on the block is a 22kt gold coin similar in size and weight to the mints traditional £5 coins, at 39.94 grams. Packaging is neat on all – standard mint fare, of course. The obverse is the usual effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Jody Clark, along with the inscribed issue details.

In a terrific additional touch, the mint has put the silver coin in a box along with a set of original 1919 circulating currency for just 100 examples. At £280.00 it’s obviously pricier than the solo coin at £90.00, but what a neat gift for the veteran, particularly of the Second World War now those that fought in the First have sadly left us. Unfortunately, this set has sold out at the mint, but you may be able to get one at a dealer. All the others are available to order now.

PRESS RELEASE

Today, The Royal Mint marks 100 years since the first formal Remembrance Day service with a commemorative coin. The 2019 Remembrance Day coin design features a poppy, a symbol which is synonymous with remembrance and the traditions that surround it.

The first Remembrance Day was held on 11 November 1919 – exactly one year after the signing of the Armistice with Germany. Remembrance Day provides veterans and the general public with an opportunity to come together to honour those who lost their lives in conflicts past and present.

Harry Brockway’s design commemorates 100 years since the first Remembrance Day in 1919, incorporating a single poppy and the iconic phrase from the fourth stanza of Laurence Binyon’s poem ‘For the Fallen’, often referred to as the Ode of Remembrance.

Nicola Howell, Director of The Royal Mint’s Consumer Division said, “Since 2017 The Royal Mint has issued a special Remembrance Day UK commemorative coin to pay tribute to those who served in war and this year’s coin marks a century of remembrance. Harry’s design features a single poppy, a widely recognised symbol of remembrance and a powerful tribute to servicemen and women across the world who’ve lost their lives in conflicts past and present.”

The coin is available to be purchased in a range of finishes and for the first time on a UK Gold coin from www.royalmint.com/remembrance. A donation from each coin purchased will be made to Imperial War Museums, to support their valuable work.

In addition to the Remembrance Day commemorative coin, The Royal Mint has procured a selection of historic coins from 1919 – the year of the first Remembrance Day ceremony. It was for that day that George V issued a proclamation declaring a two-minute silence. The set features eight coins from 1919 as well as the 2019 Remembrance Day commemorative coin and is available to be purchased from www.royalmint.com/remembrance.