LAUNCH EDITION SIR ISAAC NEWTON-375TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF A TRUE BRITISH GENIUS Coins History OUR HISTORY IN YOUR HANDS
REACH FOR THE SKIES Douglas Bader his life and legacy
LEST WE FORGET Third Battle of Ypres
THE NEW PISTRUCCI SOVEREIGN DESIGN Saint George, the Dragon .1 SPRING 2017
£5.00 ISSUE N o and the Pistruccis
• BATTLE OF HASTINGS • GEORGE MEDAL & GEORGE CROSS • BERLIN WORLD MONEY FAIR • JEFF GARRETT • SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE ANNOUNCEMENT Own a 50th Anniversary Krugerrand Contents Coins & History | Spring 2017 Value that endures 6 Heads & Tales 32 12 Our pick of recent news, views and opinions.
8 Saint George, the Dragon and the Pistruccis Angela Pistrucci’s superb new re-imagining of her legendary ancestor’s iconic Saint George SPECIAL 50TH and the Dragon design. ANNIVERSARY 8 12 Shadow Of The Conqueror PRIVY MARK Pistrucci How William The Conqueror’s victory at the Battle of The name is inextricably Hastings led to centuries of linked to the sovereign turmoil and conflict. and its remarkable history as one of the world’s 16 Ypres most famous coins. Kay Celtel explores the tragic LO LO third battle of Ypres and the RES RES extent to which it contributed to 24 7 16 the winning of WWI.
20 Other Side of The Coin Justin Robinson tells of a lesser known legacy of one of the most famous Britons in world history, Sir Isaac Newton. A memorable symbol of South Africa’s distinctive 24 Turning Heads heritage, the striking of the first Krugerrand Without Telling Tales Celebrating 50 years of one 28 Jeff Garrett, President Of of the world’s most widely in 1967 gave birth to an icon. Bader The American Numismatic Association, provides a The Battle of Britain known gold coins personal overview of the coin In honour of the Krugerrand’s 50th year, The London made the RAF pilots collecting market in the USA, Mint Office has officially partnered with the South into heroic demi-gods; and Bader was the most Europe and beyond. African Mint for this occasion and will be offering a glamorous of them all. Limited edition – 28 Through adversity contact us today for more range of special edition Krugerrand coins for you to to the stars information on availability own. Each will feature a commemorative ‘50’ Privy Kay Celtel recounts the true 20 story of an inspiration to us all Mark alongside the iconic springbok motif. Contact - Sir Douglas Bader the famed All orders will come with a us now for more information. RAF pilot. Certificate of Authenticity 32 A Record Of Great In this momentous anniversary year, we expect Courage And Bravery significant demand – call now to avoid missing out. Phil McDermott tells the story of the George Cross and George Medal awards which recognise FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL OUR DEDICATED PHONE LINE, FREE: 34 acts of great courage and bravery. 0808 173 2018 34 Redressing the Past Lines open Monday - Friday 9am-5:30pm & Saturday 9am-1pm Recent projects with key strategic partners, helping to Please quote reservation number 92009727 or order online: right historical wrongs. www.londonmintoffice.org/mag01
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FEEDBACK Sir Douglas Bader. A truly iconic British hero and the focus of one of the greatest Let us know about your views and comments stories in Royal Air Force history. Following a year of significant anniversaries you on this magazine, either general or specific to now have the opportunity to own the Douglas Bader Gold Piedfort Pound, beautifully particular articles. t: 0203 829 3939 crafted to honour the extraordinary life and achievements of the most legendary pilot e: [email protected] in the history of British aviation. Last year marked 40 years since Bader received his In for a penny SUBSCRIPTIONS Knighthood from Her Majesty the Queen, and also commemorated 75 years since his Penny for your thoughts For information on how to subscribe aircraft was famously shot down over France, an episode that led to the astonishing to future editions of Coins & History and ‘Operation Leg’. Only a limited edition of 242 coins have been struck to poignantly elcome to the first issue of Coins & History, a new periodical celebrating, guarantee they are sent to you as soon as represent No. 242 squadron, making this a true collector’s special issue. W promoting and informing enthusiasts of numismatic history. These include our they become available. customers, supporters, partners and other friends within the wonderful and exciting t: 0800 970 4326 world we inhabit. e: [email protected] MINTED IN Available to you in We trust that this magazine helps all readers to not just enjoy, but also value, the ADVERTISING • Limited availabilty - please call now for more information 22 CARAT three interest-free coins and medals they collect and to appreciate that what they have in their possession If you wish to advertise your products and • Available exclusively from The London Mint Office SOLID GOLD instalments marks a significant and important moment in time. services in future editions of Coins & History CALL FREE ON: please contact our friendly sales team as • £1 Piedfort Coin – coins rarely struck to this double thickness This first edition comes at a particularly proud moment with our recent launch of soon as possible. a new sovereign. This stunningly re-imagined gold coin has been designed by Angela • Special privy mark to commemorate Operation Leg, an operation that t: 0203 829 3939 saw an RAF bomber drop a prosthetic leg by parachute to the Luftwaffe 0808 173 2018 Pistrucci and is based on the original Saint George and the Dragon motif of her famous e: [email protected] base where Bader was held as a Prisoner of War ancestor, Benedetto Pistrucci, which first appeared on the modern sovereign two Lines open Monday - Friday 9am-5:30pm & Saturday 9am-1pm hundred years ago. The full, unique story of two generations of Pistrucci is presented • Features RAF motto ‘Per adua ad astra’ – through adversity to the stars Please quote reservation number 92009727 or order online: in this magazine on pages 8-11. www.londonmintoffice.org/mag05 Also featured is the remarkable story of some great Britons, including Sir Douglas Bader and Sir Isaac Newton, plus significant historical events, such as the Battle of | Customers must be aged 18 years or over | Orders are subject to status which may require a credit check through a licensed credit reference agency | Legal tender coin issued by Government of Gibraltar | All orders are backed by The London Mint Office 14-day no quibble guarantee | The London Mint Office Limited, Registered No: 03470348 England, 1 Carew Street, London SE5 9DF. Hastings and the third battle of Ypres in 1917. We trust you enjoy our first edition of Coins & History and your feedback on this magazine is very welcome. We value your views and your contributions will help us develop future editions. Email us at [email protected]. Subscription
GENERAL CONTACT Coins History OUR HISTORY IN YOUR HANDS Greg Prosser FREEPOST, The London Mint Office Managing Director, 0800 970 4326 The London Mint Office. Subscribe to Coins & History for future editions of the magazine as soon as they become available. www.londonmintoffice.org Please tick the required box: • If paying by card or PayPal, please contact us by phone or via our facebook.com/londonmintoffice ❑ Order the next edition for just £5.00 website (details below) quoting order reference 92009727 Contributors twitter.com/#londonmintoffice • If paying by cheque, please complete and return the enclosed ❑ Subscribe to the next 5 editions of order form to the address below. Please make cheques payable to londonmintoffice.org/the-blog Coins & History for just £20.00 The London Mint Office. [email protected] (5 editions for the price of 4!) Phil McDermott Jeff Garrett Phil is founder of Worcestershire Medal Jeff is President of the American Coins & History Magazine. Service, holders of a Royal Warrant as medallists to Numismatic Association and serves as a board © The London Mint Office 2017. Title ...... Name ...... HM The Queen, currently the largest single supplier member of the Smithsonian Museum of American Articles, design, illustrations of insignia to the UK Central Chancery. As Archivist History. As well as being a long-established buyer or photography contained within this of The Gallantry Medallists’ League, Phil has also and seller of rare coins, Jeff has authored many of the magazine can only be reproduced Address ...... compiled the book ‘Acts Of Courage’, recognising most popular numismatic reference books published or copied with the explicit permission of recipients of courage and bravery awards. in the last decade. The London Mint Office. Images supplied courtesy of Imperial War Museum, Alamy ...... Postcode ...... Stock Photo, St James’s Auctions and Joel Rouse/Ministry of Defence. Tel No...... Email ...... Justin Robinson Kay Celtel Design and production: Justin is Research And Numismatic Kay Celtel is an Oxford-educated Escape To Design - 029 2089 1986 Manager at The London Mint Office. A former historian who, after a career in publishing, now works Customer Account No. (if known) ...... Order Reference . . .92009727 ...... university lecturer in British history, Justin now helps as a freelance editor, writer and researcher. to develop our expanding range of coins and coin- related products. Contact us to confirm your subscription: PHONE: 0800 970 4326 | WEB: www.londonmintoffice.org/subscription | POST: Freepost, The London Mint Office. | EMAIL: [email protected] 4 SPRING 2017 | COINS & HISTORY SPRING 2017 | COINS & HISTORY 15 Heads&Tales
Every day she breaks a record Heads&Tales Fascinating facts about the world’s longest reigning monarch
Our pick of recent news, views and comment er Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has just written message was issued instead Hmarked the 65th year of her reign with – The Queen is the only person in Britain who her Sapphire Jubilee. She has also recently can drive without a license or number plate on become the longest reigning living monarch in her car the world. But, as we continue to celebrate the – On the subject of motor vehicles she is the only “OVERT, COVERT, AND FORENSIC” Queen’s record-breaking achievements how British monarch in history properly trained to Berlin World Money Fair much do you know about Her Majesty? change a spark plug, as she undertook a car Here are some facts you may not have known: maintenance course during WWII. New UK £1 coin – Princess Elizabeth was born at 17 Bruton – She sent a message of congratulations to The coin industry elite gathered for the 46th World Money Fair Street, London, on April 21, 1926. Today, the Apollo 11 astronauts for the first moon recently launched address is home to a Chinese restaurant landing on July 21, 1969. The message was – The Queen has made a Christmas broadcast microfilmed and deposited on the moon in a First issued in 1983, the to the Commonwealth for every year of her metal container.
thirty-four year old coin Defence Ministry of ©Joel Rouse/ reign with the exception of 1969, when a Here’s to many more years, Your Majesty! has been susceptible to so much forgery over the years that over 3% NINE DECADES GLORIOUSLY ACCOMPLISHED in circulation were thought to be fakes. To combat this, The Royal Mint Beautifully has created an ultra-secure twelve sided A celebration of the Queen designed, replacement with multiple security featuring features inside and out to dissuade the the National counterfeiters. Anthem ACCENTED for her Milestone Birthday IN PURE 24 The shape of the new coin resembles CARAT GOLD the much loved pre-decimal three- After marking the milestone of Her Majesty becoming the longest penny bit. However, this is where and oldest reigning monarch last year, the ‘Long to Reign Over Us’ the similarity ends. The new pound 90th Birthday Coin Collection captures the most defining moments of the comprises two metals, a gold coloured outer ring made of nickel-brass and a Queen’s life and record-breaking reign through seven beautifully silver coloured nickel plated inner. designed and uniquely commissioned coins, exclusive to The Royal Mint has developed a new The London Mint Office. technology that they have named their Struck in Sterling Silver, the traditional purity reserved for official crowns, Raphael Maklouf, Angela Pistrucci, The Hon. Joseph Bossano and Ole Bjørn Fausa. Integrated Secure Identification System. the obverse of each silver coin features the official This embeds a hidden security layer 90th birthday portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by the esteemed ebruary 2017 saw the 46th World Money (Chairman of the Samlerhuset Group), included a within each coin that allows thousands sculptor Raphael Maklouf, showing a Queen deservedly content to be scanned and verified in a few Fair with over 16,000 visitors in attendance. presentation by Kenneth Porter from Fairmined after nine decades gloriously accomplished. FOperated by the Samlerhuset Group it is Gold as well as the highly anticipated launch seconds, quickly separating genuine the biggest fair of its kind in the world. The fair of the new 2017 Saint George and the Dragon coins from fake ones. The use of what A truly fitting tribute to our longest and oldest reigning monarch. has seen a lot of changes since the first sovereign; designed by Angela Pistrucci, issued by they call “overt, covert, and forensic” Only when placed together as a set can the true beauty of this collection be international coin event that originally took the Government of Gibraltar and distributed in the markings will help vending machines to fully appreciated, as the words of our National Anthem shine through on a place in Basel on January 22nd 1972. The annual U.K exclusively by The London Mint Office. automatically verify the authenticity of flowing ribbon accented in pure 24 carat Gold. World Money Fair has now established itself as The launch had some key industry figures the new coin by its unique composition, the numismatic world trade show for collectors, present including Master Sculptor Raphael Maklouf, rather than simply weight, shape and dealers and coin producers to gather all under famous for his effigy of Queen Elizabeth II as size. one roof. used across many coins in the commonwealth. Available to you at the preferential price of £49 Each year the event plays host to many guests Also in attendance was The Hon. Joseph Bossano To put-off counterfeiters further, the for the first coin. You will receive the remaining six coins of honour. This year it was the South African MP, Minister for Economic Development, new coins feature latent images etched in the set at monthly intervals at a cost of £99 each, payable Mint who were celebrating the Krugerrand 50th Telecommunications & the GSB from the into the metal that change from a “£” in instalments. These will be sent to you entirely on CALL FREE ON: Anniversary, a wonderful piece of South African Government of Gibraltar, who expressed his symbol to the number “1” when viewed approval and with no obligation coinage which was originally issued in 1967. excitement for the design stating “this is of great from different angles. The coin also The Fair also features an annual Samlerhuset historical significance; Angela has not just made features micro lettering and is milled on Accented in pure 24 carat Gold 0800 970 4326 Reception, an event for invited industry numismatic history but maybe even biological alternate edges professionals from around the world to gather Lines open Monday - Friday 9am-5:30pm & Saturday 9am-1pm history, proving that coin designing is in a person’s The result is expected to be “the most A moving tribute to Her Majesty in her record-breaking year and hear about some key developments in the genetic code”. It was certainly an exciting time Please quote reservation number 92009727 or order online: secure circulating coin in the world” that comes complete in a bespoke presentation box. industry from the operating company of the fair. for the coin industry and proud moment for The This year the reception, hosted by Ole Bjørn Fausa London Mint Office. www.londonmintoffice.org/mag04
| Customers must be aged 18 years or over | Orders are subject to status which may require a credit check through a licensed credit reference agency | 6 SPRING 2017 | COINS & HISTORY Legal tender coin issued by Government of Gibraltar | All orders are backed by The London Mint Office 14-day no quibble guarantee | The London Mint Office Limited, Registered No: 03470348 England, 1 Carew Street, London SE5 9DF. HERITAGE HERITAGE
‘I have thought it desirable to employ Mr Pistrucci, an Saint George, the Dragon artist of the greatest celebrity and whose works place him above all competition as a gem engraver, to make models for the dyes of the new coinage.’ and the Pistruccis William Wellesley Pole, Master of the Mint
Left: Benedetto Pistrucci’s famed design, introduced in 1817, as it appeared on a sovereign in 1878.
Right: Angela Pistrucci working on ideas for the new sovereign design and below a Cameo of Pistrucci (ca. 1850, by his daughter, Elisa).
n 1817, Benedetto Pistrucci’s remarkable and headstrong, the Italian was, to some, Saint George and the Dragon design helped a controversial choice. Yet his talent was I secure the sovereign a reputation as one of such that, in 1816, William Wellesley Pole, the most recognizable coins in the world. Now, Master of the Mint, wrote to the Lords of the history has been made as, for the first time in Treasury saying: ‘I have thought it desirable to two hundred years, a new sovereign design has employ Mr Pistrucci, an artist of the greatest been created by a Pistrucci family member. celebrity and whose works place him above all Two hundred years ago, Britain was still competition as a gem engraver, to make models reeling from the loss of its American colonies for the dyes of the new coinage.’ Pistrucci was during the American Revolutionary War given the position of Chief Medallist and (1775–83) and just emerging from more than commissioned to prepare the designs for the twenty years of war with France (1793–1815). sovereign. The seeds for the sovereign’s Saint Gold coins had disappeared almost entirely George and the Dragon motif had been planted from circulation in Britain and what silver shortly after Pistrucci arrived in London in 1815, coins remained were so worn that many were when he was asked by Lady Spencer to create a little more than plain discs of metal. However, wax model of the saint in the ‘Greek style’. the defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo on 18 June 1815 meant that Britain could finally Fight to become an artist turn its attention to reforming its crippled The commission must have delighted Pistrucci as currency and central to the country’s new an ardent student of Greek art, but the subject coinage was the sovereign. may also have appealed to him personally. After all, here he was, a judge’s son from Rome who’d Passionate and headstrong battled to become an artist and whose path to The name of Britain’s new premier gold coin England had been fraught with both physical was no accident. Henry VII first introduced danger and threat of damage to his reputation, a sovereign in 1489, following the end of the sitting with the cream of London society having Wars of the Roses (1455–85) symbolising peace overcome all that might have derailed his and the hopes invested in the new Tudor royal career. Pistrucci was never above insinuating dynasty. Likewise, the 1817 sovereign not only himself into the classical themes he explored celebrated Britain’s victory in the Napoleonic in his art, and it is tempting to imagine that he Wars, but was also a symbol of the ambitions of saw himself as Saint George, slaying the dragon the nation. And, just as the medieval sovereign of his doubters and detractors. had cemented the power and international When Pistrucci then suggested Saint George standing of the Tudors, it was hoped that the as a suitable subject for the sovereign’s new sovereign would bring prosperity and reverse, Wellesley Pole was only too happy to The incredible story of Angela Pistrucci and how her superb new authority to Britain. In this, the sovereign more concur. It was the perfect motif for the times, than fulfilled its promise, powering the British symbolizing both the nation’s victory and the re-imagining of the iconic Saint George and the Dragon links her forever to her Empire and circulating throughout the colonies power of the saint’s namesakes, King George legendary ancestor and the story of the modern sovereign. and beyond to become the most respected coin III and George, the Prince Regent. in the world. Pistrucci’s design for the sovereign was By Kay Celtel The job of designing the reverse of the extraordinary. Influenced by the Parthenon sovereign fell to Benedetto Pistrucci. Passionate marbles that had recently been brought
8 SPRING 2017 | COINS & HISTORY SPRING 2017 | COINS & HISTORY 9 HERITAGE HERITAGE
Matthew Preece Senior Account Manager, London Mint Office
“For years I’ve been excited about the upcoming 200th anniversary of the “ Never in my wildest sovereign and I know many of our dreams would I have customers have been eagerly waiting to see how this once-in-a-lifetime event believed that someday would be marked. I never imagined that when the time came I would in a position I would step into my to sell a sovereign specially designed by Benedetto Pistrucci’s great-great-great ancestor’s shoes and grand niece, and become part of its history myself. It really is extraordinary and the design the sovereign.” coin looks amazing.” “ Pitting oneself against Benedetto Pistrucci is a huge test and, over Angela Pistrucci Above left: Angela Pistrucci working on early the years, many designers have tried and failed to emulate the Saint drafts in her Shawnigan Lake Studio. to London by Lord Elgin, and taking melt the metal for the coins—being poor and to work with the world-class engravers and Above: Angela with Raphael Maklouf at the George and the Dragon motif. But, as I saw Angela’s original design, inspiration from coins such as the famous from another country of course’. It was only sculptors, but also because the city provided a launch of her new sovereign design in Berlin, ‘Gloria Romanorum’ issued by the Emperor as an adult researching her family history connection to her own family’s history and the my fears dissipated and I knew it would be successful.” February 2017. Magnentius (303–353), Pistrucci’s work was that Angela found out who her ancestor really Roman origins of the Saint George legend. Below: A cast of Angela’s final design and original Raphael Maklouf unlike anything seen before on a British coin. was. She was amazed to discover that she and drawings of the dragon. It was certainly a radical change from the staid Benedetto shared a passion for cameos and Contemporary and classical and traditional heraldic shield designs that had relief sculpture. ‘I was in shock as I looked The result of her time there is a sovereign featured on the guinea since 1663. Never before around my house seeing the very same art form design that elegantly combines the had a British coin featured such a sense of of bas relief sculpture as seen in Benedetto’s contemporary and the classical, with more energy and movement. Muscular and naked but design for the sovereign’, she tells me. than a nod to the Pistrucci heritage. Angela for the cloak flying out behind him, Pistrucci’s Even so, when Angela told her grandchildren has recast Benedetto’s Greek saint as a Roman Saint George was far removed from more in 2012 that she would one day design a coin, soldier, although she has drawn on the romanticised versions of the saint. The smooth, they laughed at their dear ‘Mimi’. It seemed an composition of the 1817 sovereign in featuring solid flesh of the horse, contrasting beautifully impossible dream that this self-taught artist the rearing horse, the rider pulled close to his with the spiky, writhing, and somewhat puny from a small town in Canada should one day horse’s neck, the twist of the dragon’s neck, dragon, was the very embodiment of power design a coin, let alone a coin as prestigious plus the original spear (replaced by a sword and strength. It was a truly striking and as the sovereign. As Angela says: ‘Never in from 1820) and the garter motto. Some of the inspirational image. No wonder that for 200 my wildest dreams would I have believed details of the coin also bear an inherited trace years Benedetto’s Saint George and the Dragon that someday I would step into my ancestor’s of Benedetto’s style, particularly the twisting has captivated collectors around the world. shoes and design the sovereign’. Yet, in 2015 of the dragon’s tail, entangling Saint George’s she was invited to do exactly that and create horse, which recalls the sinuous, serpentine Step into my ancestor’s shoes a new Saint George and the Dragon design for tails of the giants on Benedetto’s extraordinary The Pistrucci name is inextricably linked to the a 200th anniversary sovereign to be issued by Waterloo medal. When I suggest that perhaps sovereign and to its remarkable history as one the Government of Gibraltar and distributed she was influenced by Benedetto’s style, Angela of the world’s most famous coins. Yet Angela exclusively by The London Mint Office. It was a laughingly replies, ‘I actually think the style Benita Pistrucci, Benedetto’s great-great- daunting task. How do you begin to emulate, or belongs to me and he must have unconsciously great-grand niece, grew up largely unaware even exceed, the success of a design as iconic copied me’. Yet, Angela admits that when of her family’s illustrious history. As a child as Pistrucci’s Saint George and the Dragon? For she is struggling for inspiration she talks to she was told that one of her ancestors worked Angela, the answer lay in Rome. Benedetto and asks for his direction. And, at the Royal Mint but, with no mention made In 2016, she won a scholarship to study at although she says he does not answer, looking of what he did, Angela recalls how she ‘made the prestigious Italian Mint IPZS (Instituto at her 2017 Sovereign design, I can’t help but up a story that he most likely worked in the Poligrafico Zecca Stato). It was the perfect wonder if Benedetto hasn’t whispered just a basement shovelling the coal into the fire to place to go, not only because she would get few of his secrets into Angela’s ear.
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to maintain the status quo and rule through the remaining English magnates. The rebellion “ William, however, was able to suppress the rebellion with was brutally suppressed; York was left in the support of the English, who by that time had decided that smouldering ruins and the effects of the destruction wrought by William across the they preferred the rule of a foreign king, however brutal, to north were felt for more than a generation to come. In its aftermath, William systematically the unchecked power of a group of foreign barons.” replaced most of the powerful English lords with, theoretically, more loyal Normans. As it turned out, the Norman lords were no less ambitious or opportunistic than the English had been and, within ten years of the Battle of Hastings, William was forced to suppress the first rebellion led by one of his own Norman vassals—Roger, the Earl of Hereford. Yet, by his death in 1087, William had done enough to secure Norman rule in England. But what he held was a still fragile English kingdom and a notoriously troublesome Norman duchy, flanked by an ambitious French king. The union between the two, embodied by William, would collapse dramatically in the years after his death as his sons continued to feud. Twenty years of turmoil As he lay dying in Normandy in 1087, William revealed his plans for his realm: Normandy would go to Robert Curthose, his eldest son; Henry, his youngest son would receive a large sum of money; and England would be left in the hands of God, albeit with the understanding that God would give it to the middle son, William Rufus. It is possible that William’s decision to give England to William Rufus rather The shadow of the Conqueror: than Robert was driven by disapproval of his eldest son, who had twice rebelled against him. But, in dividing his realm, William was simply following Norman custom, which dictated that from Hastings to Waterloo ancestral lands went to the eldest son and conquered lands to the second son, setting the scene for twenty years of fraternal strife. Normandy, where he ‘set himself to acquire the Robert soon proved himself to be incapable of mastery over the whole’ duchy. At the same th On the 14 of October 1066, William the Conqueror won the English crown controlling Normandy’s rebellious lords and the time, William Rufus occupied himself with duchy descended into anarchy. The connections ensuring that if anyone were to have mastery at the Battle of Hastings. His victory introduced a powerful European between the Normans in Normandy and those over Normandy, it would be himself. For seven in England inevitably meant that rebellion on years he waged war in Normandy, finally dimension to England’s politics and set the country on the path to decades one side of the Channel affected those who held managing to subordinate his brother if not power on the other. While the territories were conquer the duchy outright. It must then have of turmoil and centuries of conflict and competition with France. divided, there could be little hope of peace in been somewhat galling for William when Robert either Normandy or England. The only solution simply pawned Normandy to him for the sum of By Kay Celtel was for one of the brothers to rule both England £6,666 in 1096. and Normandy. All three waited to seize power, with Robert making the first move. Seizing the throne In 1088, under the leadership of the By 1100, William Rufus’ position had never been hat William gained at the Battle of The years immediately following the Battle Conqueror’s brother, Odo of Bayeux, a group Top: An Anglo-Saxon helmet at stronger. He had gained control of Normandy, Hastings was a loosely united kingdom of Hastings were inevitably marked by rebellion of Norman barons in England conspired to the British Museum. weathered the storm of another baronial revolt in which regional and personal and revolt, most of which were easily dealt with. W overthrow William Rufus in favour of Robert. Above: A portrait of William the (1095), subdued the Welsh and made the loyalties—fomented in the seven ancient Anglo- But, in 1069, William faced the most coordinated William, however, was able to suppress the Conqueror. Scottish king his vassal. But while hunting in Saxon kingdoms and hardened by over 200 years attack on his authority yet. In the Great Northern rebellion with the support of the English, who the New Forest on 2 August he was shot in the of Viking attacks and interference—ran centuries Uprising, a powerful coalition of Danish and by that time had decided that they preferred the back with an arrow and killed. Rumours soon deep. In winning at Hastings, William set himself English forces, supported by the Scots, combined rule of a foreign king, however brutal, to the circulated that William had been murdered. against a realm of ambitious leaders for whom to reclaim the north as a separate kingdom. unchecked power of a group of foreign barons. Whether true or not, Henry lost no time in the kingdom was still very much up for grabs. William’s response was to abandon any attempt Odo was banished and soon after arrived in seizing the throne. Abandoning his brother’s
12 SPRING 2017 | COINS & HISTORY SPRING 2017 | COINS & HISTORY 13 HERITAGE HERITAGE
For more than 700 years the shadow of the conquest hung heavy over Anglo-French relations.
To find out more interesting facts about the events leading body in the woods, he hurried to Winchester was designed to garner the support of both at Pevensey, King Henry I had finally reunited century. In defeating Napoleon Bonaparte at up to the Battle of Hastings, to seize the royal treasure. Within three days the Scots and the English. Although Robert did his father’s realms and both England and the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, it seems that the battle itself, or to arrange of William’s death, he had been crowned King secure the support of a number of the greatest Normandy were once more in one man’s hands. Wellington was finally able to lay the ghost of Henry I at Westminster. barons in England, ever strapped for cash, he For the Conqueror and his sons, Normandy, the Conqueror to rest. For Napoleon had been a visit to the actual 1066 The news of Henry’s accession brought was soon persuaded to relinquish his claim not England, was the real prize. Their hearts lay planning his own invasion of England and in battlefield, please visit the Robert scurrying back from Crusade to assert in return for Henry’s territories in Normandy in Normandy and their ambitions in France. But 1803 had appropriated the memory of the Battle relevant section of the website his own claim to the throne. But by the time and a large annual payment. With Normandy the desire to keep hold of Normandy and extend of Hastings to clothe himself in the mantle of Robert reached England in 1101, Henry had back in Robert’s hands, it wasn’t long before their power in France would lead the English the Conqueror. He put the Bayeux Tapestry on of English Heritage – already made several moves to secure his the duchy once more descended into chaos and kings that followed into centuries of war. For display at the Louvre to remind the Parisians www.english-heritage.org.uk/ position. His Charter of Liberties, for example, Henry took the chance to invade. more than 700 years the shadow of the Conquest that a ‘Frenchman’ had once conquered England. learn/1066-and-the-norman- short-circuited the grumblings about the At Tinchebray on 28 September 1106 Henry’s hung heavy over Anglo-French relations. More fascinating still, that November Napoleon A recent collection from conquest/ abuse of royal power that had haunted William Anglo-Norman force captured Robert, routed inspected the building of the invasion fleet at Rufus’s reign. His marriage to Matilda, a his army, and seized Normandy. Forty years to Devastating effect Boulogne. On his return to Paris, Le Moniteur The London Mint Office Scottish princess of the Anglo-Saxon royal line, the day since William the Conqueror had landed Its effects were played out in the famous wars newspaper reported that excavations at Boulogne presents a series of medals, each incorporating a of the Middle Ages, touching the battles of Crécy had thrown up a battle-axe that, it claimed, ‘had visualisation of a scene from and Agincourt as well as the lives of such great probably belonged to the Roman army which the Battle Of Hastings against names as Richard the Lionheart, Henry V and invaded England’ and ‘some medals of William a backdrop taken from the Joan of Arc. Even the loss of Calais, England’s the Conqueror’ found on the site of Napoleon’s Bayeux Tapestry. last territory in France, in 1558 did not ease tent. Napoleon clearly hoped that these, the mistrust between the nations. Instead they undoubtedly manufactured, good omens would Struck by Worcestershire took their grievances into the colonies, fighting bring him success against England. It wasn’t Medal Service, holders of a each other for power and territory in India, the to be, but Napoleon’s decision to invoke the Royal Warrant as Medallists to Caribbean and, with devastating effect for the memory of William the Conqueror neatly closed Her Majesty The Queen, this British Empire, in North America. the circle on the troubled relationship between unique collection can now be The relationship between France and England France and England that had begun at the Battle yours. For more information only began to improve in the nineteenth of Hastings and ended at the Battle of Waterloo. please call 0808 173 2018.
Napoleon’s planned invasion, with a tunnel under the Channel and hot air balloons carrying troops across.
14 SPRING 2017 | COINS & HISTORY SPRING 2017 | COINS & HISTORY 15 MILITARY MILITARY Mud & Madness The Third Battle of Ypres
By Kay Celtel
“At each side of the
ucked close to the coast amid the front. However, in February 1917, Germany canals and rivers of Flanders in western duckboards was a sea of ramped up its submarine attacks on Allied T Belgium, the town of Ypres was already shipping. By April 1917, shipping losses had long acquainted with conflict by the time of the mud, and if you stumbled brought Britain to the brink of ruin. As the Great War. Over the centuries, this ancient textile Allies scrambled to introduce food rationing town had been besieged, occupied and conquered you would go in up to and protect their shipping by the introduction by various forces seeking to control its of convoys, Admiral Jellicoe warned that if strategically vital routes to the sea. But the First the losses continued, Britain would be unable World War would bring its own particular brand the waist, and literally to continue fighting. Destroying the German of destruction, as Ypres became the epicentre submarine bases along the Belgian coast seemed of four major battles, the third of which – often every pool was full of the to be the only solution and, as this meant a called the Battle of Passchendaele – would be push through the front at Ypres, the British remembered not just for the devastating number decomposed bodies of Expeditionary Force in Flanders prepared itself of casualties, but also for the muddy hell on for a third battle around the beleaguered city. earth that sapped the men of their strength, humans and mules. ” health, hope and lives. Lost opportunites The mud made its first appearance at the The BEF’s commander, Field Marshal Haig First Battle of Ypres in October 1914. The British was delighted; he had long hoped to launch a had arrived in the city that month to bolster Ypres in April the following year. But this time major offensive in Flanders and could now start the Belgian and French defences. They took up they brought an experimental new weapon – making plans to drive the Germans from the positions around Ypres, creating a small salient chlorine gas – that would wreak havoc on the vicinity of Ypres. In mid-June, hopes of success (bulge) in the trench lines and taking control of Allied troops. On 22 April they released more were raised when the Royal Engineers blew up the low ridge of higher ground to the south, at than 160 tonnes of the gas and watched as the the Messines ridge, with an explosion that could It was mud, mud, everywhere: mud in the Messines. On 20 October the Germans attempted wind carried the yellow-green mist straight into be felt in London. General Herbert Plumer’s to break through the Allied line on the Yser the French-Algerian line. men drove the Germans from the ridge and trenches, mud in front of the trenches, mud River and drive through to capture the ports of As the Algerians fled, the Germans slipped Plumer urged Haig to secure the advantage while Dunkirk, Calais and Boulogne. through the gap they had left. Yet, once more, the German’s morale was low and press on to behind the trenches. Every shell-hole was a sea they were prevented from reaching Ypres as capture the Passchendaele ridge to the north of The mud sets in Canadian, British, French and Algerian troops Ypres. But Haig had waited a long time to make of filthy oozing mud. I suppose there’s a limit to This attack was thwarted when the Belgians forced them back. The Allies held firm even his move in Flanders and refused to countenance opened the sluice gates and flooded the area when a second gas attack threatened to break any change to his plan to launch an offensive everything, but the mud of Passchendaele … with seawater, creating a two-mile wide barrier the Canadian line and the Germans soon gave up at the end of July. By then the British had, of between themselves and the Germans. The on the Second Battle of Ypres, abandoned their course, lost the element of surprise. I think it absolutely finished me off. Germans turned instead on Ypres and had soon attempt to take the town by force and decided to The prelude to the offensive was a heavy managed to force the British off the Messines simply bombard it to ruins. artillery bombardment. For ten days, the Allies Bombardier J. W. Palmer, 26th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. ridge, but were unable to capture the city. For much of the next two years, both German bombarded the Germans, raining over four As winter set in that year, so too did the mud, and Allied attention was taken up by events on million shells down on them. The Germans, who bringing the fighting around Ypres to an end for other fronts – in Gallipoli, around Verdun and had experienced this many times before and knew the year. The Germans returned to the attack on the Somme in France, and along the Eastern an attack was brewing, spent the time reinforcing
16 SPRING 2017 | COINS & HISTORY SPRING 2017 | COINS & HISTORY 17 MILITARY TWO INCREDIBLE MEDALS OF BRAVERY IN ONE REMARKABLE SET George Cross & George Medal
Own a George Medal and George Cross commemorative set, beautifully crafted in bronze and layered in pure gold, in honour of those who have been awarded them for acts of FREE 800 PAGE HARDBACK BOOK bravery over the last three quarters of a century. ‘ACTS OF COURAGE’ Struck to a Brilliant Uncirculated finish and crafted by Worcestershire Medal Service, medallists to Her Majesty the Queen, the designs depict in superb detail the distinctive original designs of the medals themselves. The accompanying 800 page hardback book has a hand- signed foreword by Lt. Col. JRT Balding MBE GM, recipient of the George Medal and President of the Gallantry Medallists’ League, a charity that benefits from a percentage of all sales. STRUCK BY MEDALLISTS TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN veteran of the campaign, Serjeant-Major Richard did, perhaps many more realised too late that • Limited availability - call now while stocks last Tobin, would later recall: these premonitions were just the fevered hopes Above: the Ypres Centenary coin, featuring • Just 500 sets available worldwide CALL FREE ON: the iconic Angel of Mons above Rudyard “There was no chance of being wounded and of desperate men. Kipling’s famous phrase ‘Lest we Forget’ getting a Blighty one at Passchendaele. You The rain also brought the offensive to a halt • Percentage of proceeds go to the Gallantry Medallists’ League Above right: British soldiers on the front could either get through it or die, because if you and it wasn’t until 16 August that a small break • Presented to you in a bespoke wooden case 0808 173 2018 line faced gruelling conditions. were wounded and slipped off the duckboards in the weather allowed a new attempt to gain • Includes a free individually hand-signed 800 page hardback Lines open Monday - Friday 9am-5:30pm & Saturday 9am-1pm you just sank into the mud ... At each side [of ground at the Battle of Langemarck. General the duckboards] was a sea of mud, and if you Plumer’s strategy was to undertake a series of book, ‘Acts of Courage’, edited by Phil McDermott. Please quote reservation number 92009727 or order online: their positions and making ready for the stumbled you would go in up to the waist, and small actions that would inch the British closer www.londonmintoffice.org/mag02 offensive. The British attack finally began at 3.50 literally every pool was full of the decomposed to the Passchendaele ridge rather than attempt | Customers must be aged 18 years or over | Orders are subject to status which may require a credit check through a licensed credit reference agency | a.m. on 31 July when the British Fifth Army under bodies of humans and mules.” to make a dramatic breakthrough. Successes All orders are backed by The London Mint Office 14-day no quibble guarantee | The London Mint Office Limited, Registered No: 03470348 England, 1 Carew Street, London SE5 9DF. General Hubert Gough advanced to the northwest There was simply no relief from the wet and soon followed at the battles of the Menin Road of Ypres towards the Passchendaele ridge. The cold. At the Front, there were no trenches, just a Bridge (20 September), Polygon Wood (26 soldiers managed to advance a couple of miles in series of posts scraped in the mud, in which the September) and Broodseinde (4 October), which the back and forth of fighting that day. But that men would stand for hours on end, often up to gave the British control of the ridge east of night rain began to fall, and fall. their waists in water. Ypres. Haig, however, wanted more. EXCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITY TO OWN THIS 22 CARAT SOLID GOLD COIN – LIMITED EDITION The next couple of weeks saw the heaviest rainfall in Flanders for forty years. It soon Powerful premonitions ‘Senseless campaign’ filled the craters left in the heavy clay soil by The only warmth to be found was from the Convinced that the German army was near to Sir Isaac Newton 2017 the British bombardment. The bombardment two-gallon petrol tins of tea delivered each day collapse, Haig pushed Plumer to continue the had also destroyed the natural drainage in the to each soldier, which inevitably cooled quickly offensive towards the Passchendaele ridge. But area, leaving the streams that criss-crossed the and made them sick as they imbibed the petrol he failed to recognise the exhaustion of his battlefield nowhere to go. The ground between residue. Trench foot and trench fever were rife own men and as German reinforcements began Gold Quarter Guinea Ypres and Passchendaele swiftly turned into a and the strain exerted by the conditions took its to arrive from the Eastern front, the Battle of quagmire of sticky, oozing mud that sucked men, toll on the soldiers’ mental health; many were Poelcappelle (9 October) and the First Battle This year, we commemorate 375 years since the birth of Sir Isaac animals, and machinery into its depths. Over the broken by the whole experience, many told of of Passchendaele (12 October) brought little Newton, one of the greatest scientific minds the world has ever coming months, the men lived and fought in the experiencing powerful premonitions that they progress. Still on 6 November the Allies finally produced. What more of a fitting tribute to the most famous Master most horrendous conditions imaginable, as one would survive a particular day and while some captured Passchendaele village. It must have of the Mint than one of the coins he is most strongly associated with been with some relief all round when Haig declared the offensive a success and brought the – the Quarter Guinea, issued in 1718. You now have the opportunity push to an end. to own a new Quarter Guinea featuring a stunning new portrait The Third Battle of Ypres was over. The of this greatest of Britons, alongside the iconic apple that inspired offensive had succeeded in taking some of the the development of his law of gravity. This stunning new coin also STRUCK TO HIGHEST pressure off the French further south but it commemorates the 300th year since the British adoption of the Gold AVAILABLE had failed in its primary objective of capturing PROOF QUALITY IN ONLY FROM THE Standard, a movement in which Newton played a significant role. Germany’s submarine bases. Lloyd George, 22 CARAT LONDON MINT the Prime Minister during the battle, would SOLID GOLD OFFICE later write in his memoirs: ‘Passchendaele was CALL FREE ON: indeed one of the greatest disasters of the war • Limited edition - call today for more information … No soldier of any intelligence now defends • Extremely low mintage limit - just 1,718 available this senseless campaign.’ And senseless it must 0808 173 2018 have seemed to the families of the hundreds • Designed by the renowned Italian artist Francesca Abbate of thousands of Allied casualties of the battle • Includes an exclusive 55-page booklet, documenting the fascinating Lines open Monday - Friday 9am-5:30pm & Saturday 9am-1pm as, just five months later, the German Army life of Sir Isaac Newton. Please quote reservation number 92009727 or order online: recaptured most of the ground gained amid the horrors of Passchendaele’s mud. www.londonmintoffice.org/mag03
| Customers must be aged 18 years or over | Orders are subject to status which may require a credit check through a licensed credit reference agency | 18 SPRING 2017 | COINS & HISTORY Legal tender coin issued by Government of Gibraltar | All orders are backed by The London Mint Office 14-day no quibble guarantee | The London Mint Office Limited, Registered No: 03470348 England, 1 Carew Street, London SE5 9DF. HERITAGE HERITAGE
Isaac Newton: Other side of the coin
2017 marks the 375th anniversary of the birth of one of the most famous Britons in world history. In this article, Newton’s lesser-known contribution to the UK’s numismatic heritage is explored.
By Justin Robinson
s a young man, Sir Isaac Newton rejected Bristol, Chester, Exeter, Norwich, and York. a career in the family farming business Ever suspicious, Newton told the officers A and instead became a great many things: at these country mints to "trust not the a mathematician, astronomer, alchemist, computations of a single Clerk nor any other bible scholar, author, professor, Member of eyes than your own." Parliament, administrator, detective, prosecutor Newton's position as Warden of the Mint also and Knight of the Realm. He was, first and meant that it was his responsibility to track foremost, a scientist and his contribution to our down and prosecute counterfeiters. Chasing understanding of the universe is so significant crooks was not something that particularly that today, almost 300 years after his death, his appealed to him, and he wrote a letter to the name is still synonymous with genius. Treasury asking if he could be excused from A little known fact about the life of Sir Isaac this particular duty. When he found that he Newton is that he had a lengthy association couldn't, he set to work with his customary with The Royal Mint, serving as both Warden zeal and single minded determination. To assist from 1696 to 1699 and then as Master from him, Parliament passed the Coin Act in 1696, 1699 until his death in 1727. making it an act of treason to make coins, English currency was in a very poor state construct, sell or possess equipment required when Newton arrived at The Royal Mint. Silver to make coins, or to assist anyone else making coins produced prior to 1662 had been hand coins. The punishment for doing so was death. struck making them susceptible to clipping, the practice of shaving off the edges in order The ultimate penalty to make new coins. To combat this, after 1662 Newton began to devote more and more of The Royal Mint used a machine to strike coins his time to his main duty of investigating that produced a decorated and milled edge. This and bringing to justice the counterfeiters and dissuaded criminals from clipping coins but it clippers that had bought the currency into didn’t stop the problem of counterfeiting, which disrepute. He went undercover himself and continued on an industrial scale. visited notorious bars, taverns and other dens of iniquity where criminals gathered, in order to Solving the currency crisis recruit informants and obtain information. The currency faced an additional problem as Newton hired private "thief-takers" to locate the value of silver bullion on the continent counterfeiters and their equipment. Records was greater than the face value in London. As also show that he personally tracked criminals a result, vast quantities of coins were being to their lairs and interrogated them in person. melted and shipped abroad to be sold on the He became a regular visitor at the rat-infested metals market for more than their face value. Newgate Prison, where he conducted more Newton's solution to solve the currency crisis than 58 interviews, and between June 1698 and involved a Great Recoinage - an enormous December 1699 records show that he personally operation that involved taking in millions of conducted more than 100 cross-examinations pounds of coins by weight and re-minting of witnesses, informers, and suspects in order them at their correct value. Newton organized to build watertight cases against the accused. a production line of 500 men at the Tower Newton gathered evidence to successfully of London, and over the next four years they prosecute 28 counterfeiters, most of whom went smelted most of England’s money supply. To to the gallows and paid the ultimate penalty for assist them, branch mints were established at their crimes.
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However, Newton's biggest challenge was to prosecute the most prolific counterfeiter of the Opposite page; William III, To commemorate Newton’s age. William Chaloner had used his skills as a Five Guinea, 1701. As a man life and legacy, a new coin has counterfeiter to become a very wealthy man. He of mathematics and science, been designed by the highly lived in a large house in the semi-rural suburb Newton brought new focus acclaimed Italian artist and on quality and accuracy to sculptor Francesca Abbate. of Knightsbridge, rode in a carriage, wore fine the operations of the Mint. Her design incorporates clothes and presented himself to high society The Five Guinea of 1701 is elements of the Conder as a gentleman. After forging "Birmingham considered one of his finest halfpenny token struck in Groats", he moved on to more lucrative achievements, and utilised 1793 to honour Newton. Guineas, French Pistoles, crowns, half-crowns, the new minting technology This includes a cornucopia banknotes and lottery tickets. to give the portrait of the (horn of plenty) to symbolise Slur on his reputation monarch more lifelike abundance, and the caduceus qualities. (the staff carried by Hermes), Chaloner developed a sophisticated casting Below: ‘The Art of Coining to symbolise communication, method that involved pouring molten metal - Engrav’d for the Universal writing, printing, eloquence, into high quality brass moulds, and set up a Magazine 1750’ illustrates enlightenment and factory in Egham, 20 miles outside London. He the type of coin presses that understanding. For more was so pleased with the quality of the coins he replaced hand striking at information please call was producing that it upset him to see them The Royal Mint after 1662. 0808 173 2018. used as it spoiled their perfection! Ultimately, it was Chaloner's giant ego that proved his undoing. He wrote letters, published pamphlets and was even invited to appear before Parliamentary committees arguing that he alone
Image courtesy of St James’s Auctions. could solve England's counterfeiting problem. He even went so far as to publicly accuse Newton of incompetence and possibly even fraud in his This level of accuracy management of the Great Recoinage. Newton From his condemned cell Chaloner wrote to was furious at this slur on his reputation, and Newton several times begging him to intervene was unprecedented and so began a game of cat-and-mouse in which and save his life. His final letter concluded with Chaloner sought to persuade Parliament to let the piteous words; “Oh dear Sir nobody can save it is arguably one of his him run The Royal Mint while Newton secretly me but you. O God my God I shall be murdered compiled evidence to expose him as the chief unless you save me. I hope God will move your greatest achievements as counterfeiter in England. heart with mercy pitty to do this thing for me. I Newton discovered that Chaloner had been am Your near murdered humble Servant." Master of The Mint that arrested repeatedly over the years for various Newton did not respond and Chaloner scams and had even served time in jail for suffered a miserable death choking on the rope he brought the coinage, petty offenses. However, because there were to the amusement of the crowds at Tyburn. In no centralized criminal records at the time it his journal Newton wrote simply that ‘Chaloner in his own words to a had been easy for him to move from place to could have lived a long, honest life had he let place and start again each time he was released. the money and Government alone.’ "much greater degree of Astonishingly, Newton discovered that in 1694 Chaloner had actually been caught red ‘Fine work’ Guineas exactness than was ever handed in the act of forging banknotes but had Later that year the post of Master of The been able to talk his way out of prosecution Royal Mint fell vacant and Newton accepted known before.” by naming who he claimed were the real the position on Christmas Day 1699. He was counterfeiters behind the operation. He even determined to use the new minting technology ended up receiving a reward for his information! available to him to create the best possible to the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty’s put aside as keepsakes due to their beautifully visual appearance of coins. He hired a skilled Treasury established a new mint ratio between intricate design. Production of the quarter Sentenced to hang German jeweller from Dresden named John silver and gold that had the effect of driving guinea ceased within a year. Newton dedicated himself solely to the task Croker to engrave designs onto the dies at a silver out of circulation and moving Britain Newton was determined to ensure that all of building the strongest possible case against greater depth. The resulting die would then be onto the gold standard. coins were made to the correct weight and Chaloner. He methodically bribed, threatened used to strike coins in a higher relief, which With silver coinage in such short supply fineness, varying as little as possible. This and bullied witnesses for information would make the monarch’s portrait look more there was an urgent need to issue a lower level of accuracy was unprecedented and it is that would allow his spies and informants lifelike. The 2 Guinea and 5 Guinea struck denomination gold coin. In 1718 it was arguably one of his greatest achievements as to infiltrate Chaloner's sophisticated in 1701 are known today as the “fine work” decided to strike a gold quarter guinea worth Master of The Mint that he brought the coinage, counterfeiting operation. Eventually there was Guineas. They are a testimony to Newton’s approximately the same as the five-shilling in his own words to a "much greater degree of enough evidence to arrest him. When the trial determination to produce the best possible silver crown. The new coin weighed 2.1 grams exactness than was ever known before". finally came, Newton had assembled eight coinage, and have become numismatic classics. and was just 16 millimetres in diameter. witnesses for the prosecution. Chaloner had The administrative skill of Newton is clearly Newton did not appreciate at the time that such to conduct his own defence unaware of the demonstrated in the hundreds of surviving a small coin would be impractical to use, which Abridged from the book ‘Isaac Newton – A Life in evidence that Newton had compiled against reports and letters that he wrote as Master. His made them unpopular. Of the 37,380 coins Colour’, available to purchase exclusively from The him. Chaloner was sentenced to hang. most famous report, issued in September 1717 that were minted many appear to have been London Mint Office.
22 SPRING 2017 | COINS & HISTORY SPRING 2017 | COINS & HISTORY 23 HERITAGE HERITAGE
Stories have long had the power to turn even the most common coin into Jeff Garrett a collector’s must-have and today’s increasingly connected world is opening Jeff Garrett began coin collecting as a boy and has built up a vast wealth up a treasure box of numismatic tales and opportunities, as the President of of expertise and knowledge over his thirty-five year career as a dealer. the American Numismatic Association is finding out. Hugely passionate about collecting, in 2015 he was awarded the PNG By Jeff Garrett Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his tireless promotion of numismatics. That year he was also made President of the American Numismatic Association and, more recently, he has been invited to serve Turning heads without telling tales as a board member of the prestigious Smithsonian Museum of American History. Jeff has authored many of the most popular numismatic reference books published in the last decade, including the award- winning 100 Greatest U.S. Coins and the Encyclopedia of United States Gold Coinage. hortly after finding out that I am a rare- and recovery. Decades later, collectors are still making numismatics such an enjoyable coin dealer, new acquaintances often ask excited when told of the vast treasure found pastime. And recently, in my travels as Sabout coin collecting. One of the first by Mel Fisher when he discovered the Spanish President of the ANA to various events and questions many people ask is: what is the gold ship the Nuestra Señora de Atocha off the conventions, I’ve been seeing just how much most expensive coin? Most are astounded coast of Florida. coin collecting is thriving around the world. when told that a 1794 Silver Dollar sold for Coins from hoards also continue to draw In January, for example, I attended the over $10 million a few years ago. They then collectors and many continue to clamour for New York International show. What became usually ask how a coin can be worth so much. coins from the Redfield Silver Dollar, the GSA particularly clear to me there was that the The short answer is, ‘the story’. It is the Carson City Silver Dollars, and the Wells Fargo Asian coin market is definitely one to watch. story that can transform a common coin into Double Eagle hoards. It has been experiencing fabulous growth in something highly desirable, a rare coin into a the last few years. China has an amazingly record-beater and, conversely, it is the lack of Propaganda active market for rare coins and many US and a compelling story that can make even a rare Moreover, coins often record or reflect many European dealers have devoted tremendous coin less desirable. of the most historic events in human history. resources exploring and developing a presence The 1794 Silver Dollar is a prime example: Roman Emperors used coins for propaganda in this market. Gold and silver have always it dates from the first year that silver dollars and one can easily trace the advance of played an important part in Chinese culture, were struck in the United States making it civilization though their coinage. The history but the spread of the middle and upper classes exceptionally rare, but it fetched such a high of the United States is certainly very clearly in China has sparked a huge demand for rare price because many believe that it was, in illustrated by its coinage. From the 1652 coins and precious metals. Similarly, changes fact, the very first one struck at the US Mint. Pine Tree Shilling struck in the colony of to the make-up of Indian society also sparked On the other hand, thousands of 1907 High Massachusetts to the 1792 Half Disme said to a surge in interest in rare Indian coins. In New Relief Double Eagles were saved and can be have been struck from Martha Washington’s York, I witnessed several individuals from found in quantity at most coin shows. Yet the silverware, coins provide a tangible link to these countries looking for coins. It would be 1907 High Relief Double Eagle is highly sought the formation of the American nation. The wonderful to learn about the stories behind after because of its great story and incredible expansion of the United States is also easily these wonderful and ancient coinages. beauty. The President, Teddy Roosevelt, found through its rare coins. The discovery commissioned the nation’s greatest artist to of gold in California brought the gold dollar How wrong I was redesign the cent, ten dollar, and twenty dollar and double eagle into being and the coins Turning to Europe, in February this year, coinage. The US Mint struggled to bring the minted in the ‘Wild West’ remain among the I attended the World Money Fair in Berlin, 1907 High Relief Double artistic genius of Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ most exciting to collectors intrigued by this Germany. Over the years I have heard a lot Eagle. Many consider this design to fruition, but this is now one of the fascinating period of US history. about this convention, but had never attended. to be the most beautiful most beautiful coins ever produced. It is not difficult to understand how a As a specialist in American coins, I doubted coin ever struck in the Similarly, many common coins recovered compelling story can make a coin more that there would be much to interest me at a United States. President from shipwrecks, such as the S.S. Central desirable. For many collectors a coin’s European coin show. How wrong I was. What Teddy Roosevelt was America, S.S. New York, S.S. Republic and interest lies in so much more than its rarity I found in Berlin was encouraging, thought- directly involved in the the S.S. Yankee Blade, are highly sought after or condition. It is the stories of history, both provoking and an excellent reminder of how production of this coin. because of the drama of the story of their loss national and personal, that surround coins, diverse and exciting numismatics is.
24 SPRING 2017 | COINS & HISTORY SPRING 2017 | COINS & HISTORY 25 HERITAGE NEARLY 2000 YEARS OLD : OWN AN AUTHENTIC PIECE OF ROMAN HISTORY Original Emperor Nero with full-scale presses on the bourse floor), and many others. The diversity is astounding. Left: The 1794 Silver Dollar dates from the From Monday the hotel was buzzing with activity as everybody gathered to do business Silver Tetradrachm first year that silver dollars were struck in the and network before the main show on Friday. This highly collectable Roman Silver Tetradrachm is a genuine piece of antiquity. United States making it There were rows of tables in the lobby with exceptionally rare people giving pitches on their wares and nearly Nearly two thousand years old, this historic coin was issued by the Roman Below: The World every meeting room in the hotel was booked by Emperor Nero – one of Rome’s most colourful and notorious emperors. Money Fair, Berlin 2017 some large company or other, conducting non- As each coin is struck by hand, your coin is guaranteed to be completely unique. at the Estrel Hotel and stop meetings the entire week. The process of striking by hand, and variances in the metal dies used to strike the Convention Centre. Later in the week the crowds started to coins rely heavily on human accuracy and so vary greatly, meaning your coin is assemble for opening ceremonies. The hotel a genuine one of a kind! Moreover, these were coins used for everyday commerce; From the start I could tell that Europeans was jam packed and had people queuing out handled and worn by a myriad of hands – a very special reminder of that ancient “It is the story that can operate quite differently to their colleagues of the door. More than 15,000 people were in the United States. The show is held at the estimated to have visited the show. This is and enthralling world. transform a common coin largest hotel in Germany, the Estrel Hotel and more than the ANA’s World Fair of Money STRUCK IN Convention Centre, which has over a 1,000 and it was heartening to see the crowd’s VERY FINE NEARLY 2000 into something highly rooms, and every one booked. The show includes enthusiasm. There were thousands of people • Limited availability - please call for more information GRADE SILVER YEARS OLD! representation from every facet of numismatics. eager to buy everything from ancient coins • From the reign of Nero - one of the most notorious Emperors in CALL FREE ON: This means rare coin dealers, auction houses, to the most recent offerings from mints Roman history desirable, a rare coin into mass market companies, world mints, packaging around the world. The South African Mint was companies, coin supplies dealers, bullion especially active as they were celebrating the • An extraordinary piece of genuine history from an ancient and enthralling world 0808 173 2018 a record-beater.” companies, mint equipment companies (some 50th anniversary of the Krugerrand. Bullion is a big deal at these shows and • Presented in a bespoke display box with Certificate of Authenticity Lines open Monday - Friday 9am-5:30pm & Saturday 9am-1pm it was available in every shape and size • Very fine grade silver piece Please quote reservation number 92009727 or order online: imaginable. The South African Mint was selling a range of gold Krugerrands in sizes of 1/50 www.londonmintoffice.org/mag07 (yes, it’s super tiny), 1/10, 1/4, 1/2, 1, 5 and 50 | Customers must be aged 18 years or over | Orders are subject to status which may require a credit check through a licensed credit reference agency | ounces ($150,000 if you’re curious). They were All orders are backed by The London Mint Office 14-day no quibble guarantee | The London Mint Office Limited, Registered No: 03470348 England, 1 Carew Street, London SE5 9DF. also offering a silver and platinum Krugerrand for the first time, and were sold out of the show stock on the first day. REMEMBER OUR VALIANT WAR HEROES & THEIR ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR OUR FREEDOM Never been a better time I have heard for years that European collectors did not care for third-party certified coins but this must be changing as large numbers of The Somme Centenary Coin tables, and many large numismatic companies, were offering some NGC-certified coins. As we reflect on the recent centenary of the Battle of the Somme, we are reminded of the Ancient coins were particularly popular and sacrifices our brave war heroes made for our country. The Battle of the Somme, one of world coins seemed to be gaining steam as the bloodiest battles in modern history, saw 419,000 British men killed or maimed in five well. The reasons for third-party grading intense months of fighting. To mark the anniversary of this historic battle, The London are universal in my opinion: the guarantee Mint Office released a 1oz silver coin in a fitting tribute to those forever remembered as of authenticity and quality it offers are very important for anyone spending considerable true British heroes. The coin is intricately engraved with a touching image of soldiers money on their collection. My guess is that ‘going over the top’ on the first day of battle. As part of a breathtaking memorial design in the next decade, certified coins will be as and struck to Proof quality, the 1oz Silver coin features a delicate hand-hammered poppy widely accepted in the European, and I suspect recalling the ceramic poppies that adorned the Tower of London in November 2014. in the Asian, markets as in the US. The coin comes with a vial of genuine soil collected by hand from the famous battlefield Travelling around these shows, it seems on the 100th Anniversary of The Somme, together with a Certificate of Provenance. INCLUDING A VIAL that there’s never been a better time to be a Remember our brave war heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice collector. With new markets opening up, the OF SOIL FROM THE internet making it easy for both dealers and with the Somme Centenary silver coin, available for a limited time only. STRUCK TO THE BATTLEFIELD collectors from around the world to source or HIGHEST PROOF learn about particular coins, the increasing QUALITY availability of certified coins, and some highly- • Yours for just £129.95 for a limited time only CALL FREE ON: reputable companies offering some excellent • Minted to mark the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme products around both ancient and modern coins, there is a wealth of opportunities for • Struck to Proof quality only 2,016 have been issued worldwide 0800 970 4326 building and diversifying your collection. As • Includes a vial of soil collected from The Somme battlefield Lines open Monday - Friday 9am-5:30pm & Saturday 9am-1pm communication becomes much easier and in many cases free, we can look forward to being • Exclusive 100th anniversary hand-hammered poppy privy mark Please quote reservation number 92009727 or order online: able to talk and share our collections and their www.londonmintoffice.org/mag06 stories with other enthusiasts around the world, making it a truly global hobby. | Customers must be aged 18 years or over | Orders are subject to status which may require a credit check through a licensed credit reference agency | 26 SPRING 2017 | COINS & HISTORY Legal tender coin issued by Government of Gibraltar | All orders are backed by The London Mint Office 14-day no quibble guarantee | The London Mint Office Limited, Registered No: 03470348 England, 1 Carew Street, London SE5 9DF. MILITARY MILITARY
Sir Douglas Bader: Through adversity to the stars
The famed RAF pilot Sir Douglas Bader is best remembered today through the 1956 dramatised bio-pic Reach For The Sky. His true story still remains an inspiration to us all.
By Kay Celtel
28 SPRING 2017 | COINS & HISTORY SPRING 2017 | COINS & HISTORY 29 MILITARY MILITARY
“I had to jettison my right leg in a somewhat The limited edition Douglas protracted performance of evacuation. It wished Bader Gold Piedfort Pound, beautifully crafted to honour to stay inside the tailless airplane, while I wished the extraordinary life and achievements of the most legendary pilot in the history to leave – so we both had our own way.” of British aviation. Only 242 coins were struck to poignantly represent No. 242 squadron, making this a true t’s been just over seventy-five years since collector’s special issue. Operation Leg put the ‘legless ace’ of The Battle of I the Battle of Britain, Sir Douglas Bader, Britain made back on his feet. Now the mission has been the RAF pilots commemorated in a stunning piedfort gold £1 into demi-gods; coin and, with the 35th anniversary of his death, glamorous and we remember the life and legacy of the man heroic, they find a way to play tennis and squash, although whose courage and determination made him one regularly appeared fielding at cricket matches proved beyond even of Britain’s greatest heroes. in the papers and his extraordinary abilities. Born in 1910, Douglas Robert Steuart Bader’s Bader, with his The accident did, however, cut short his RAF childhood was imbued with the tales of the dandyish blue career. He was invalided out and reluctantly World War I air aces and their duels. And the spotted scarf, his took work as a clerk at the Asiatic Petroleum young Douglas knew from an early age that he ‘tin legs’ and his Company until the advent of World War II offered was destined to fly. As a young man, he found well-attested him the chance to get back in the cockpit. In himself a place as a cadet at the Royal Air Force charisma, was the November 1939, Bader was re-engaged by an RAF College, Cranwell. There he earned himself most glamorous desperately short of experienced pilots. Initially second place in the contest for the sword of of them all. On posted to 19 fighter squadron at Duxford, he was the other side of honour on graduation and a report that described quickly appointed to command 222 squadron, the Channel, the him as ‘plucky, capable, headstrong’. Bader leading his team in the operation to provide air German press was indeed all three; his pluck and flying ability cover for the evacuation of British forces from was also busy would soon earn him a place on the RAF’s elite Dunkirk. Promoted again on his return, he took making heroes of acrobatic team and his headstrong nature would command of 242 squadron, a Canadian unit its airmen. Among prove to be both his undoing and his making. based at Coltishall and led the Duxford wing into them was a pilot, as the Battle of Britain. ‘Bad show’ gifted and romantic a figure as Bader, Operation Leg Always fearless and eager for a challenge, on who would play a 14 December 1931 Bader responded to the jibe key role in Bader’s On 9 August, Bader was flying his Spitfire on a offered safe passage to the British to drop it off. soon after he went on to work in business and of a civilian pilot by performing his signature future – General sweep of northern France when his plane went Operation Leg was born, and back in England as a public speaker. He also went quietly about a move – a slow roll at very low altitude. While Adolf Galland, the down over the Pays-de-Calais. While he blamed Bader’s squadron prepared to parachute a new lifetime of charity work on behalf of the disabled, regulations stated that the manoeuvre could cheroot-chomping a mid-air collision with a Messerschmitt, it may tin leg to their captain. The honour of carrying particularly those born without or having only be performed at height over 1,000 feet, young flier in be that he was, in fact, hit by either enemy or the new limb apparently went to 19-year-old lost one or more limbs. For decades his own Bader was determined to do it within yards of command of the friendly fire. Whatever the cause, the result was Jack Nickleson of Toronto who, on 19 August determination to live totally independently in the ground. It was an insanely dangerous thing Luftwaffe’s Fighter that Bader’s plane spun towards the ground. 1941, flew his Blenheim bomber to France and the belief that ‘a disabled man who has achieved to attempt. If performed successfully, it might Wing JG26. Bader jettisoned the canopy and prepared to bail dropped the carefully wrapped prosthetic over independence is no longer disabled’ provided have won him a pint in the pub but, instead, but one of his feet was trapped under a pedal and the Luftwaffe base at St. Omer before the whole inspiration to many. And it was fitting that, in it almost cost him his life when the wing of stuck fast. Falling to earth attached to his plane, squadron continued on to their target. 1976, he should be honoured with a knighthood Bader at the height his British Bulldog fighter clipped the ground it was only luck that freed him when the strap in recognition of this work, a civilian honour of his celebrity with and crashed. Bader was badly injured and left holding his prosthetic leg broke. Finally clear of Colditz to add to the list of military honours garnered the British press and unconscious for nine days, his right leg having the plane, he parachuted to safety having lost a With his new leg in place, Bader was once during the war – the Distinguished Service left, during his later been amputated above the knee and his left leg. He would later write to the journalist Henry more fully mobile and escape ready. While still Order, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the French years as a charity below the knee. His log book noted, ‘Crashed worker for the Longhurst: ‘I had to jettison my right leg in a recovering in hospital, he tied together several Croix de Guerre and the Légion d’honneur. slow-rolling near ground. Bad show’. Whether disabled for which somewhat protracted performance of evacuation. sheets, climbed to the ground and walked away Bader died just over thirty-five years ago. he considered his failure to perform the trick he was honoured It wished to stay inside the tailless airplane, into the night. He was picked up four days later, Through the accident that marked but never successfully or his recklessness in attempting it with a knighthood while I wished to leave – so we both had our around 100 miles away. For the next year Bader defined him, he came to embody the RAF motto, a ‘bad show’ is unclear. in recognition of his own way.’ continued to bait the Germans, attempting Per ardua ad astra (‘Through adversity to the Yet, the wilfulness that had led him into achievements. Bader was picked up by the Germans and escape after escape until they threatened to take stars’). But what made Bader a true hero was trouble was also to pull him out. Just six taken to hospital and it was at this point that away his legs. In the end he was sent to not the extraordinary courage he displayed as a months after the accident, Bader was walking Adolf Galland stepped in. A man of noted Colditz, the ostensibly escape-proof castle where pilot, nor even the determination he showed in unaided on his artificial legs, declaring, ‘I will chivalry and honour, Galland was determined the most persistent escapees were held. He recovering from the loss of his legs, but the quiet never use a stick’. Always a keen sportsman, that Bader should be back on two legs as soon remained there until liberated on 15 August 1945. support, generous encouragement, and hope he having been chosen for the English rugby team as possible, so he informed the British that Just one month later, Bader led the victory gave to thousands in the belief that everyone just before his accident, he would soon also Bader was safe but needed a new limb and fly-past over London. Retiring from the RAF could reach for the sky.
30 SPRING 2017 | COINS & HISTORY SPRING 2017 | COINS & HISTORY 31 MILITARY MILITARY
A Record of Phil McDermott Worcestershire Courage and Great Bravery Medal Service Phil is founder of Worcestershire Medal Service, a company that provides miniature medals and medal mounting The George Cross And George Medal recognise and reward remarkable acts services. For almost a decade now, the company has held a Royal Warrant as of courage and bravery, honouring military personnel and citizens alike. medallists to HM The Queen, providing all of the UK national honours including By Phil McDermott OBE & MBE, the George Cross and George Medal and is currently the largest single supplier of insignia to the UK Central Chancery. Phil is also Archivist of The Gallantry Medallists’ League and publisher of books and publications, such as Acts Of Courage, s the blitz brought a new kind of war to taken during the Second World War. Many recognising and recording recipients of Britain, a new kind of award was needed recipients were those who, with little concern courage and bravery awards. A to honour those civilians who showed for their own safety, had placed themselves in ‘conspicuous courage in circumstances of jeopardy to protect or save lives and property at extreme danger’. Now, over 75 years on, many home. Of course, the actions of those working men and women, and even a whole country, outside Britain were also recognised. have seen their acts of gallantry recognised by The George Medal was awarded to a number the award of the George Cross or George Medal. of foreign and British nationals who operated September 1940 saw the advent of a new form escape lines or undertook sabotage operations of warfare—blitzkrieg—as Hitler’s Luftwaffe in occupied territory. The George Cross was even The London Mint Office Lieutenant Colonel began the sustained bombing of cities and awarded to an entire nation in 1942, when Malta commemorative set relating to the JRT Balding MBE GM, towns across Britain. Night after night, month was honoured for having resisted capitulating George Cross and George Medal was awarded the George after month, the citizens of the UK endured the to the Axis powers while enduring the heaviest comes complete with a hand-signed Medal for his service German raids. The civilian services faced an “The medals are bombardment seen in the war. hardback copy of Phil McDermott’s as an Ammunition almost overwhelming challenge in fighting the 800 page book Acts Of Courage Technician dealing with fires that the raids entailed, rescuing civilians unique in that Anti-terrorist operations – Register Of The George Medal terrorist explosive devices trapped in bombed-out buildings and dealing Since the end of 1947, just 59 George Crosses 1940-2015. This book includes a in Northern Ireland. with the many unexploded bombs that lay they are the only and 643 George Medals have been awarded. short biography of all recipients He is also the current menacingly in the streets and factories in which The majority of awards of the George Medal of the award across the years President of the Gallantry they worked. officially sanctioned since then have been made to those personnel plus an individually hand-signed Medallists’ League, an commemorative medals involved in bomb and mine disposal work and foreword from Lieutenant Colonel organisation dedicated to Conspicuous courage anti-terrorist operations. Many of these relate JRT Balding MBE GM. Each sale of the welfare and memory the George Medal & George Cross of recipients of gallantry It was a crisis that produced great acts of to the clearance of World War Two bombs, but to bear the effigies set includes a donation made to the medals. courage, which the UK honours system was the majority are related to the work of clearing Gallantry Medallists’ League. ill-equipped to recognise. Not having been of the Queen and terrorist explosive devices and, in particular, to designed for civilians, the existing military bomb disposal duties in Northern Ireland. awards were not appropriate. Most of them also her late father. Indeed, Lieutenant Colonel JRT Balding MBE stated in their regulations that they were for ” GM, the current President of the Gallantry courage and gallantry ‘in the face of the enemy’ Medallists’ League—an organisation, like and, on the burning streets of Britain’s cities, except the Victoria Cross. All holders of the EGM the VC & GC Association, dedicated to the there was no enemy, as such, to face. were immediately told that they could exchange welfare and memory of recipients of gallantry The clearance was fraught with danger and killed and his award was made posthumously. Highness Duke of Kent, representing Her His Majesty King George VI, a medal collector their medal for the new George Cross. medals—was awarded the George Medal for complicated by the presence of a self-destruct The most recent award of the George Medal was Majesty The Queen, presented a pair of specially himself, soon recognised the problem and The George Cross was supported by the his service as an Ammunition Technician mechanism intended to destroy all evidence of announced in January 2017 and recognised the struck and engraved medals to each Cross and was keen that the oversight should be swiftly introduction of the George Medal as the second dealing with terrorist explosive devices in the firing mechanism, for which there were no bravery of Mr Martin Finney of the National Medal holder present. The medals are unique rectified. On 24 September 1940 the awards level civil decoration of the United Kingdom. Northern Ireland. Whilst serving on his third counter-measures. Crime Agency in tackling and arresting an in that they are the only officially sanctioned of the George Cross and George Medal were It was to be awarded in recognition of acts of tour of duty, he manually neutralised the Several awards of the George Cross have armed assailant in London. commemorative medals to bear the effigies announced. The George Cross was to replace the great bravery. Although intended for civilians, first flash-initiated improvised mortar bomb been made for similar work in Iraq and Back in September 2015, holders of the of the Queen and her late father. The 75th Empire Gallantry Medal (EGM) as the highest both the Cross and the Medal could be awarded that was found in South Armagh. The bomb Afghanistan. The last awards of the George George Cross and George Medal met in London anniversary was an important reminder of the gallantry award for civilians and be awarded in to members of the Armed Forces, in which case contained a 50 lb explosive payload and Cross were to Staff Sergeant Hughes and Staff to mark the 75th anniversary of the creation selfless courage and bravery of the many men recognition of acts of the greatest heroism or of it was to be confined to actions for which purely had a complex electronic back-up timer. He Sergeant Schmid—both of 11 EOD Regiment, of the awards by laying a wreath at the statue and women whose heroism was such that it the most conspicuous courage in circumstances military honours were not normally granted. later led a two-day operation to manually Royal Logistic Corps—for the clearance of of King George VI on The Mall. The ceremony moved a king to give his name to a ‘new mark of extreme danger. It was to take precedence Perhaps unsurprisingly, the majority of the dismantle an infrared-initiated 450 lb numerous improvised explosive devices in was followed by a service of remembrance at of honour for men and women in all walks of over all other orders, decorations and medals, awards of both decorations were for actions explosive device buried at the side of a road. Afghanistan. Sadly Staff Sergeant Schmid was the Royal Hospital Chelsea. There, His Royal civilian life’.
32 SPRING 2017 | COINS & HISTORY SPRINGSPRING 2017 2017 | COINS| COINS & &HISTORY HISTORY 3317 COMMEMORATE A REAL TURNING POINT IN BRITISH HISTORY Your chance to own the 950th Anniversary Redressing the Past Battle of Hastings Tapestry Edition Set
The Battle of Hastings of 1066 is arguably the most A quick overview of some of the recent work recognisable battle in British history, one which we have undertaken with strategic partners saw William of Normandy defeat King Harold to focused on righting historical wrongs and become the new heir to the British throne. 950 years on from this historic date, we are raising awareness of their campaigns. offering you the chance to own this special Tapestry Edition set, containing a stunning bronze MERCHANT NAVY ASSOCIATION – through medal, measuring a massive 61mm in diameter, and a beautifully-crafted embroidered section of the famous Bayeux Tapestry, presented together in a bespoke wooden box. a range of coins and associated marketing The obverse of the medal features the statue of a victorious William celebrating his activities, The London Mint Office worked in momentous triumph of becoming the new King of England, while the reverse presents partnership with the Merchant Navy Association historic scenes from Bayeux Tapestry, portrayed behind interpretations of two authentic in raising awareness of the risks taken, casualties silver pennies from Medieval Britain. The exclusively-made limited edition tapestry is LIMITED 61MM incurred and contributions made by the an excellent complimentary piece for your Battle of Hastings bronze medal, depicting in AVAILABILITY – DIAMETER Merchant Navy in the winning of the Battle superb detail the famous arrow scene of Harold’s demise. WILL SELL OUT! CALL FREE ON: MEDAL of the Atlantic (1939-1945). This campaign also generated donation funding for the Association. Available to you for just £69.95 0800 970 4326 WATERLOO 200 - to commemorate the ~ A large 61mm diameter bronze medal ~ Battle of Waterloo during its bicentenary in ~ Expertly-crafted embroidery depicting the famous Bayeux Tapestry ~ Lines open Monday - Friday 9am-5:30pm & Saturday 9am-1pm 2015, The London Mint Office undertook a ~ Extremely limited availability – order today ~ Please quote reservation number 92009727 or order online: bespoke commemorative medals programme www.londonmintoffice.org/mag08 in conjunction with Waterloo 200, the official charity sponsored by the UK Government, and | Customers must be aged 18 years or over | Orders are subject to status which may require a credit check through a licensed credit reference agency | All orders are backed by The London Mint Office 14-day no quibble guarantee | The London Mint Office Limited, Registered No: 03470348 England, 1 Carew Street, London SE5 9DF. Worcestershire Medal Service (holders of a Royal Warrant as Medallists to Her Majesty The Queen).
Our campaign raised over £200k for the charity and a cheque was presented to Co-Chairmen of Waterloo 200, Major General Sir Evelyn Webb- The Ypres Centenary Coin Carter and Timothy Cooke at a special ceremony Remember the sacrifices our brave war heroes made for our country, held in front of the newly installed Waterloo 100 years on from the Battle of Passchendaele. Memorial Plaque at London Waterloo Station. This money has helped Waterloo 200 keep It was 100 years ago in the Flanders region of Belgium that one of the most costly and harshest battles of the First World War took place – the third and final battle of Ypres. the memory of the Battle of Waterloo alive by Culminating in November 2017, the most defining images of futility, mud, suffering and honouring the soldiers of all allied armies that sacrifice come from these battlefields. Over one million British men and women gave fought. It has continued to fund commemorative their lives in service to their country during The Great War, and so to honour their events and support education programmes ever bravery, a new limited edition uniquely-numbered commemorative coin has been issued. since. The First World War Centenary Coin Set BATTLE OF BRITAIN – a campaign to The Ypres Centenary Coin is part of a set that honours the courageous British Forces commemorate the sixteen countries that played during The Great War - those of Land, Sea and Air. Each of the three coins is layered such a pivotal role in the Battle Of Britain in 1940, in pure 24 carat gold and struck to crown size - 38.6mm, the traditional size reserved paving the way for the Allies victory in WWII. for commemorative coins. Only 9,999 First World War Centenary Sets have been issued This campaign, run in partnership with the Royal worldwide. Order your limited edition Ypres Centenary Coin with unique numbering for just Uniquely numbered and minted to the highest Proof quality Air Forces Association, involved the presentation £9.95 as part of the First World War Centenary Set. You will receive each of the remaining of an official Battle Of Britain commemorative three coins at monthly intervals for just £29.95 (normally £34.95) plus £2.95 P&P. CALL FREE ON: medal to representatives of each of the countries. The picture features Air Commodore David • Prowse, Director Of Membership at the RAF Receive the Ypres Centenary Coin featuring the iconic Angel of Mons for just £9.95 (P&P FREE!) 0800 970 4326 Association officially presenting the UK’s 75th Lines open Monday - Friday 9am-5:30pm & Saturday 9am-1pm Anniversary Battle of Britain Medal to Colonel • Each coin is accompanied with a Certificate of Authenticity Nicholas Perry, who received the medal on behalf • Receive the Collector’s Presentation Folder worth £2.95 FREE Please quote reservation number 92009727 or order online: of the then-Prime Minister, David Cameron. www.londonmintoffice.org/mag10
| Customers must be aged 18 years or over | Orders are subject to status which may require a credit check through a licensed credit reference agency | 34 SPRING 2017 | COINS & HISTORY Legal tender coin issued by Government of Gibraltar | All orders are backed by The London Mint Office 14-day no quibble guarantee | The London Mint Office Limited, Registered No: 03470348 England, 1 Carew Street, London SE5 9DF. Own a 2017 Gold Quarter Sovereign
MINTED IN 22 CARAT SOLID GOLD
LIMITED EDITION
sovereigns are highly sought- Limited after by collectors around the Edition Offer Gold world and this 2017 solid gold quarter sovereign is certain to be no exception. Payable in instalments – You now have the opportunity to own this postage and packaging is FREE prestigious 2017 Quarter Sovereign featuring Presented in an elegant display case the famous St George and the Dragon motif, exclusively recreated in its 200th anniversary year Includes a Certificate of Authenticity by Angela Pistrucci, whose ancestor, Benedetto and an informative book (with Pistrucci created the original modern gold foreword by Angela Pistrucci) sovereign design.
Official Government of Gibraltar Issue Exclusively available from The London Mint Office, this Quarter Sovereign pays tribute to the Solid 22 carat gold world’s most trusted currency, an iconic coin at Diameter: 13.50 mm the forefront of Britain’s rich heritage.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL OUR DEDICATED PHONE LINE, FREE: 0808 173 2018 Lines open Monday - Friday 9am-5:30pm & Saturday 9am-1pm Please quote reservation number 92009727 or order online: www.londonmintoffice.org/mag09
| Customers must be aged 18 years or over | Orders are subject to status which may require a credit check through a licensed credit reference agency | Legal tender coin issued by Government of Gibraltar | All orders are backed by The London Mint Office 14-day no quibble guarantee | The London Mint Office Limited, Registered No: 03470348 England, 1 Carew Street, London SE5 9DF.