Silver Kilo 2014 First World War Outbreak, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

Like many other mints, the Royal Mint issues bullion coins in precious metals, having much higher intrinsic value than their face value. Most of these by tradition are measured in troy ounces of fractions thereof, but the mint also introduced metric coins measuring one kilogram of pure metal (they are actually fractionally heavier as a whole, to account for the small amount of other metal in the alloy).

The 1 kg silver coins are denominated as Five Hundred Pounds (£500), although their intrinsic (bullion) value is much higher than their face value. The coins vary in design depending on the occasion (they are "one-year" types usually issued in parallel with smaller denominations with the same reverse designs).

The coins are legal tender but are not intended for circulation. They are targeted at bullion investors or collectors who appreciate the special editions as pieces of art.

This 1kg silver commemorative coin was issued as part of a large series of coins by the Royal Mint commemorating the Centenary (100 years ) since the outbreak of the First World War.

The striking minimalist design depicts soldiers moving from the trenches into no-man's land, an undertaking that must have been horrifying for the men involved. A lone soldier stands at bottom-left of the reverse side wearing a full cape and a "Brodie" helmet, the classic steel helmet designed by John L. Brodie and issued to British Commonwealth and American forces, and responsible for saving countless lives, particularly from overhead shrapnel.

Designed by Michael Sandle RA, he said of his inspiration for the coin “I have always felt very emotionally involved with and deeply moved by the First World War - the topic has a powerful pull for me although I was born just before the Second World War. I wanted to convey the sadness I felt at the tragedy of the war, the loss of so many men... and it is the human story and the sheer enormity of the tragedy that inspired me. I am pleased to have done something to honour that.”