The Pobjoy Mint seem to be on a bit of a roll with their new releases lately, and this latest one commemorates one of the most important battles of the 20th century, the Battle of Britain. At a time when only Britain stood against the Nazi threat, the bravery and determination of the Royal Air Force and its pilots, inflicted upon Germany its first, and many would say, most critical defeat. While no Stalingrad or D-Day in scope or brutality, without this battle, Germany would have been free to commit all her forces at a more opportune time in their eastern campaign. With Britain remaining in the war and her subsequent commiting of forces to the Greek campaign, the German invasion of Russia had fewer forces and was months late commencing. The rest as they say, is history.
The coin is a pretty standard specification, a 1oz sterling silver of 38.6mm diameter, but this time the mint has made the coin available in two versions. The second version has some selective colouring highlighting the tracer fire from the Messerschmidt fighter in the background. It’s quite effective, but it’s nice to have the choice regardless.
Available to order now direct from the Pobjoy Mint, the coloured coin sells for £66.62 plus taxes, with the uncoloured at £58.29, also plus taxes. For those on a budget, or simply collectors of bimetallic coins, both are available in copper-nickel for under £20. The mint issued a 60th anniversary coin back in 2000 that is also worth seeking out and for which we’ve added an image lower down the article.
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MINTS DESCRIPTION
To mark the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain, Pobjoy Mint is pleased to announce the release of a new coin on behalf of the Isle of Man Government.
The Battle of Britain is the name given to the Second World War air campaign instigated by the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) against the United Kingdom during 1940. The Battle of Britain was the first major campaign to be fought entirely by air forces and was also the largest and most sustained aerial bombing campaign. The German objective was to gain air superiority over the Royal Air Force. The failure of Germany to achieve its objectives of destroying Britain’s air defences, or forcing Britain to negotiate an armistice or even to surrender, is considered its first major defeat and was a crucial turning point in the Second World War.
The name Battle of Britain is unusual in itself as it gained its name prior to being fought. The name is derived from a famous speech by Winston Churchill more than three weeks prior to the start of the battle.
The coin itself features a British Spitfire flying over the White Cliffs of Dover with a German Messerschmitt on its tail. The obverse of the coin carries a fine effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, Lord of Mann, by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS. Available in Cupro Nickel and Proof Sterling Silver, both versions are also available with the searchlights coloured drawing you into the centre of the air battle. Each beautifully engineered precious metal coin has been struck four times to produce the superlative Pobjoy proof finish.
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