Many wars have occurred in the past, and sometimes, it is difficult to remember them all. One way of remembering those who have fallen or bringing past battles to life is by creating commemorative coins. These are produced to celebrate and immortalize specific themes and experiences. They feature a unique layout that includes references to the event for which they were created.
These are the top 5 battles commemorated by coins:
The Battle of Somme
The Royal Mint was determined to create a £5 silver proof commemorative coin featuring heartbreaking memories from the horrific incident that took place a century after the Battle of the Somme. The coin was sculpted by John Bergdahl in partnership with The Imperial War Museum and depicted soldiers struggling amid muddy ground in no man’s land while a tank rolls beside them. The tank, a new collection of military automobiles, was instrumental in changing the combat course and marking the war as a watershed moment. The Royal Mint has launched the coin as a component of a 5-year remembrance of WW I that will convey the tale of the emotional roller coaster from eruption to peace.
The Battle of Waterloo
While Belgium looked forward to celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo in 2015, the French did not agree with their idea as it had a great significance to them. The Belgians were forced to do away with more than 180,000 coins that had already been minted. These types of disagreements were uncommon within the EU and brought a lot of commotion. The inside part of the coin depicted a section of the Lion of Waterloo hill, with the simplified arrangement of the combat troops crowned by the term WATERLOO.
The Battle of Hastings
The Battle of Hastings took place on October 14, 1066, with Duke William II against an English force led by King Harold Godwinson, marking the start of the Norman invasion of England. War chants and the clashing of steel can be heard again on the renowned site near Hastings, Sussex. The times were difficult, and they had to do everything to win. Accountants transformed into archers, and clerks became soldiers as many re-enactors came together. The Battle of Hastings coin commemorates the date that changed history 950 back. This pivotal period in England’s past is reenacted repeatedly, exciting and teaching each new generation while preserving a distinctive part of our history and tradition.
WWII
Being one of the largest wars in history, world war II is often commemorated in many ways to honor those who served in the military during the period. Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941, starting World War II and putting the US into combat. This historical WWII golden crown coin set was inspired by the 75th anniversary. Most countries that participated in the war are fond of these sets of coins. The British, however, have a set of their own, different from the American set. Every country that participated in WW II had a different experience, explaining the different commemorative coin sets.
The Battle of Normandy Landings
On June 6, 1944, over 156,000 forces from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada arrived on the Normandy beaches. It was the world’s biggest air, land and marine mission. Over 4,500 men were killed. Nonetheless, the shores were seized thanks to the heroism and bravery of soldiers who plunged into the wall of gunfire. By the end of three months, all of France had been freed, and the battle had come to an end when Allied forces encountered Russian forces in Berlin a year later. This massive coin was explicitly produced to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Europe Invasion and was only issued from the American Mint.
