The Royal Mint

5 pounds

28,28 g

38,61 mm

Silver 925°

3000 pcs.

Proof with colour printed on relief

Reverse designer: Emma Noble Obverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS

The Royal Mint

The story of the poppy as the symbol of the Remembrance Day memorial ceremony dates back to the poppy-covered battle fields of the First World War. In 1915 a volunteer medical officer, John McCrae, was inspired to write ‘In Flanders Fields’ after witnessing poppies flourishing on battlefields and the graves of the fallen. Two days before the Armistice, the poem inspired Moina Michael to wear a poppy in remembrance of the war dead. She in turn inspired Madame Guerin to sell handmade poppies around Armistice Day to help veterans and their families. The tradition remains significant today and the new 2012 Remembrance Day coin is a fitting tribute to the bravery of our Armed Forces. The obverse of the Remembrance Day 2012 commemorative coin bears the current portrait of The Queen by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS and the year date 2012. Commenting on her design, Emma said “The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month - it’s such a powerful moment. A moment the world remembers the bravery and the sacrifice. I wanted the coin to pinpoint that moment.”

 This is the first time The Royal Mint has created a commemorative coin for Remembrance Day. ?5 from every sale of the Silver Proof coin will be donated by The Royal Mint to The Royal British Legion in support of the charity. The Alderney issued coin is the first in a series of annual commemorative coins designed as a tribute to the Remembrance Day tradition