Five Pounds 2018 First World War Armistice - War Memorials, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

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 Armistice ending the First World War; the set itself is the last part of a series of sets issued over several years. The coin is dedicated to the War Memorials erected after the war to honour the fallen soldiers.

As the world attempted to come to terms with the loss of loved ones during the war, the need for a focal point of national mourning became apparent. This was noticed and in London a temporary structure made of wood and plaster designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, in the form of a cenotaph stood.

The cenotaph attracted more than a million people, who left behind 100,000 wreaths over a period of four days. The year later the temporary cenotaph was replaced with a permanent structure made from Portland stone.

Experienced coinage artist John Bergdahl said “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.”

“When I turned to the Armistice, I wanted to create something formal, and in the end I opted to show the Cenotaph itself. It is a formal, solemn piece of architecture that simply speaks for itself. When we think of remembrance, it is where our thoughts turn.”

The coin was issued in Proof FDC, in sterling silver and in a gold, both in sets only and not issued individually. The set features edge inscriptions from an exclusive poem by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy.