New collectable coins to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day with prices ranging up to £1,725 each have been released by the Royal Mint – and they’re set to prove popular with collectors
The Royal Mint has released a new 50p VE Day coin to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. The commemorative coin has gone on sale in a range of options, costing from £14.50 right up to £1,725 for a gold version, and is set to prove popular with collectors.
It features a ‘Dove of Peace’ design by artist John Mills, which originally appeared on a 1995 £2 coin that marked 50 years since the end of World War 2. The inscription reads ‘In peace goodwill”, a quote taken from war-time PM Winston Churchill. The coin will also appear in specially curated collector sets alongside 1945-dated circulated coins.
On May 8 – the 80th anniversary of VE Day – The Royal Mint will make a special gold edition of the coin featuring an ‘80’ privy mark. A maximum of 90 will be produced, and cost £1,750 each. At the end of the price scale are “brilliant uncirculated” 50p coins that cost £14.50 each, but where the number made is in theory unlimited. A 10-coin 80th anniversary of VE Day set will also be available for £1,640.
To mark the launch of the new design, the Mint invited guests from the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans to its premises. Veterans Ron Horsey, aged 98, and Richard Pelzer, 101, who are both from Swansea and served with the Royal Engineers, had a behind-the-scenes tour of the manufacturing site in South Wales and were invited to take part in coin striking.
Mr Horsey said: “I’m incredibly proud to have been invited to the Royal Mint to strike this coin. VE Day holds such meaning for me and many others, and to be able to strike this design representing peace on to a coin all these years later is truly moving. I hope this coin reminds people of the freedom we enjoy today and the cost at which it came.”
Vice president of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans Dick Goodwin said: “It was an honour to bring Ron and Richard to the Royal Mint today and I know how thrilled they were to be invited to strike the first of the new VE Day coins. It was a wonderful experience and we want to thank the Royal Mint for looking after our WWII veterans so well.”
Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at The Royal Mint, said: “The VE Day coin pays tribute to the courage, sacrifice and resilience of the generation who secured peace in Europe in May 1945 and it was fitting to welcome Ron and Richard to site to strike one of the first coins.
“The coin is not only a tribute to history but also a powerful addition to any coin collection. Collecting coins such as this is a meaningful way to preserve and honour our nation’s heritage, allowing collectors and families to connect with the stories of courage, sacrifice and unity that shaped modern Britain.
“This VE Day coin serves as a timeless symbol of national pride offering a tangible way to commemorate those who fought for peace.”
The Mint has a tradition of marking significant events in history. Recent coins include a Red Arrows 50p, a Stories of the Second World War 50p and an 80th Anniversary of D-Day 50p.
