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 explores the connection between Art and War.
The idea of the war artist originated during the First World War, as the public tried to understand the true nature of new industrialised warfare. The work of artists who had witnessed the events became increasingly important. Young artists such as Paul Nash and C. R. W. Nevinson painted their experiences on their return from action in France; their modern approach was a refreshing change from traditional, staged battle paintings. The "Art and War" coin in this year's set takes inspiration from artist John Singer Sargent’s "Gassed", imagining the artist’s point of view as he sketched soldiers temporarily blinded by mustard gas. Sargent’s painting is probably the most well known in IWM’s art collection.
The coin was designed by David Lawrence:
“The First World War left a vast archive of haunting visual imagery. The mass availability of the pocket camera and the relatively new medium of moving film provided a graphic record of the conflict but the war was also interpreted through the eyes of artists. I came across some field studies made by John Singer Sargent for his epic painting Gassed. I was, of course, familiar with this iconic painting. On 21 August 1918 Sargent witnessed a "harrowing sight" - the aftermath of a mustard gas attack on troops during the second Battle of Arras. The availability of the field studies gave me a direct way to show both the role of the artist - to literally record and interpret - and a depiction of the artist in action, when drawing the event.”
The edge lettering "WAR AS IT IS" is a quote from the first official war artist, Muirhead Bone.
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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