Great Britain 5 Pounds Silver Coins 2015
The Life of Sir Winston Churchill Remembered in Four Coin Set
Sir Winston Churchill - in his own words
Sir Winston Churchill: the formidable man whose fearless leadership and rousing words rallied a nation, securing victory in the Second World War. His world-famous speeches are still quoted today, inspiring generation after generation. Now, 50 years after his death, a striking set of four £5 coins are struck for Alderney, capturing Churchill’s multi-faceted personality: war leader, artist, great character and, the theme that runs throughout, the skilled orator.
About the set
What a tribute this is to one of the most iconic figures in British and world history; one that honours the great man in his own words. This stunning set includes four £5 coins, each with its own unique flair, that unite to reveal Churchill’s story and form a dramatic collection. Royal Mint engraver Lee R. Jones has combined Churchill’s rousing words, some taken from his most famous speeches and some from his private life, and combined them with symbolic images. The result is a vibrant collection with beautiful details, highlighted in The Royal Mint’s pristine Proof finish.
This luxurious tribute has been struck in sterling silver to Proof quality and includes some eye-catching elements. The coin celebrating Churchill’s strength of character is gold-plated to highlight the stunning ‘phoenix from the ashes’ design, and colour-printing adorns the coin that reflects Churchill’s artistic talents. Just 1,000 of these fine sets will be available, likely to prove hugely popular given the interest in this remarkable man and the beauty of the coins struck in his honour.
In 1965 nations united in mourning the loss of one of the most iconic and widely respected leaders the world had ever seen. Sir Winston Churchill’s formidable leadership during the Second World War helped secure the support of the allied forces and, eventually, victory in 1945. His words united a nation and helped to sustain the morale of the armed forces through gruelling years.
Churchill’s varied public and private life has captivated our interest for decades. Both his public and more personal speeches were delivered with passion, wit and humour. Countless writers have penned books on his life, his achievements and his legacy. Churchill’s words have become legend, and now this eye-catching set tells his story decades later, in his own words. So many will want to honour this legendary man, and we have created two versions of the set to suit most budgets – one Brilliant Uncirculated with a newly-minted finish, and one in silver Proof including a gold-plated and a colour-printed coin.
Great Britain 5 Pounds Silver Coin 2015 Sir Winston Churchill - The War Leader
“We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.”
These words are taken from one of Churchill’s most famous speeches to the House of Commons, given on 4 June 1940, during the Battle of France, as he summoned the support of the nation for the ordeal that lay ahead. The quote is surrounded by intricately detailed barbed wire, strewn on a sandy beach. It is all indicative of the horrors that so many faced during the bloody conflicts fought on foreign shores.
Great Britain 5 Pounds Silver Coin 2015 Sir Winston Churchill - The Orator
“Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”
The Battle of El Alamein is considered one of the most decisive battles of the Second World War. It was fiercely fought by both sides, close to the Egyptian coastline, testing the spirits of the men on the ground and that of their leaders. Sensing waning morale among the allied troops, Churchill installed Lt General Bernard Montgomery as leader, and in a notable speech, conveyed the fact that, while the path to victory was still likely to be a long and difficult one, headway had been made. The design of this coin portrays the tire track of a tank, suggesting a sense of the harsh conditions in which many of the battles of the Second World War were fought, and the artillery that was used.
Great Britain 5 Pounds Silver Coin 2015 Sir Winston Churchill - The Artist
“Painting is a companion with whom one may hope to walk a great part of life’s journey.”
This quote appeared in an essay written by Churchill entitled ‘Painting as a Pastime’, which featured in Strand magazine in 1921. Winston Churchill began to paint when he was in his forties, entering, and winning, painting competitions under assumed names. In 1948 he was made Honorary Academician Extraordinary by the Royal Academy for achievements in the art of painting.
This coin design takes the form of an artist’s palette, with lettering that is suggestive of an artist’s handwritten signature. Tri-chromatic printing has been used on the Silver Proof edition of this coin, to create a textured layer of color on the coin’s surface conveying Churchill’s love of color.
Great Britain 5 Pounds Silver Coin 2015 Sir Winston Churchill - The Man
These words were spoken to Robert Menzies, Prime Minister of Australia in 1940. From his command of his country’s troops, and his time as a war correspondent during the Boer War, to his re-election in 1951 after the disappointing defeat of 1945, this coin design captures the perfect analogy for Winston Churchill – the phoenix rising from the ashes, suggestive of his courage and self-belief.
Sir Winston retired from politics in 1955 and embarked on a series of tours and public speaking engagements around the world. Sir Winston coined the phrase “The Iron Curtain” when he described the many governments in Europe who were denying the process of democracy to their people after the war and had predicted the cold war where the ideological and even military battles would be set against the United States and western Europe and the Soviet Union along with its satellite countries. With his death in January 1965 at the age of 90, Queen Elizabeth II granted him the honor of a state funeral, which saw one of the largest assemblies of world statesmen in history.
All coins, produced by the Royal Mint UK on behalf of the Treasury of Alderney are designed by senior Royal Mint engraver Lee R. Jones. Each coin reflects a different well-known aspect of the great man’s persona. The effigy of HM Queen Elizabeth II as designed by sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley appears on each obverse along with the coin’s denomination and year of issue.
Denomination Metal Weight Diameter Quality Mintage
5 Pounds X 4 Cupro-nickel 28.2 grams 38.6 mm. BU 2500 sets
5 Pounds X 4 .925 silver 28.2 grams 38.6 mm. Proof & colour 1000 sets
This set, a must for any Churchill enthusiast is available in both Proof sterling silver and Brilliant Uncirculated cupro-nickel choices and housed in custom presentation cases.
Winston Churchill Coins
Great Britain 5 Pounds Silver Coins 2015 The Life of Sir Winston Churchill Remembered in Four Coin Set