At the time of decimalisation in 1971, the United Kingdom Crown coin (equal to 5 shillings) was redenominated as a 25p coin and pieces struck prior to 1990 - all the way back to 1818 - continue to be legal tender for that amount. The old denomination had been a regular circulating coin in the 19th century, but in the 20th century it became more of a commemorative denomination.
The Royal Mint continued issuing commemorative coins in the same format - using the traditional coin dimensions, but in copper-nickel. These were initially also denominated as 25 pence but the "Crown" was changed in 1990 to a commemorative £5 (five pound) coin, having the same dimensions and weight but with a face value twenty times as great.
The denomination is used to mark special occasions, usually royal in theme, rather than for use in general circulation. Although not circulating, these coins are legal tender.
This commemorative £5 Crown-sized coin was issued as part of a six-coin set of similar coins commemorating the Centenary of the First World War; the set itself is the fourth part of a series of sets issued over several years. This coin commemorates 100 years since the Battle of Arras.
The Battle of Arras (also known as the Second Battle of Arras) was a British offensive on the Western Front during World War I. From 9 April to 16 May 1917, British troops attacked German defences near the French city of Arras on the Western Front. The British achieved the longest advance since trench warfare had begun, surpassing the record set by the French Sixth Army on 1 July 1916. The British advance slowed in the next few days and the German defence recovered. The battle became a costly stalemate for both sides and by the end of the battle, the British Third and First Army had suffered about 160,000 casualties and the German 6th Army about 125,000.
John Bergdahl designed this coin to depict the nature of the Battle of Arras:
“As for all my First World War designs, much of my research was immersing myself in contemporary photographs. This was one of the first battles fought on such wide open planes with long range artillery. Heavy weaponry is at the forefront of my design, with men and two planes in the distance giving a sense of perspective. When I began working on this series I remember reading the inscription on the cenotaph at Whitehall, 'The glorious dead". Looking back at these devastating battles you can’t help but feel that there is nothing glorious about war.”
The coin’s edge lettering, "THE MONSTROUS ANGER OF THE GUNS", is taken from Wilfred Owen’s poem "Anthem for Doomed Youth".
The coin was issued in Proof FDC, in sterling silver and in a gold, both in sets only and not issued individually. | 
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