Description
Eighty years ago, Allied forces launched the largest amphibious attack in history. On 6th June 1944, known forever as ‘D-Day’, allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy to establish a foothold in Western Europe and push back the German forces that had occupied it. This massive operation led to the liberation of Western Europe and, ultimately, to the end of the war in Europe.
Now, for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, a commemorative gold one-eighth sovereign has been minted at the Royal Dutch Mint in the Netherlands, one of the nations that was liberated in the months following D-Day. This is the first time ever that a sovereign coin has been minted in mainland Europe.
Featuring two special mintmarks to denote that it was minted by the Dutch Royal Mint, this new one eighth sovereign offers a unique tribute to D-Day and the liberation of Europe, minted in one of the very countries that was liberated.
This new coin is certain to be subject to considerable demand and you have the opportunity to own one right now, at the time of release. Just 6,999 of these coins are available!
- Minted to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, a major anniversary of this decisive action that led to the liberation of Western Europe, and the end of World War Two.
- Struck at the Royal Dutch Mint in the Netherlands, this is the very first sovereign coin to be minted in mainland Europe. It is significant too that the Netherlands was one of the nations liberated in the months that followed D-Day.
- This coin features two special mintmarks, those of the Royal Dutch Mint, and of the Mintmaster.
- For the first time, Britannia and Liberty appear together on a sovereign coin, symbols of freedom in Britain and around the world and of two of the Allied nations that fought together on D-Day.
The first gold sovereign ever minted in mainland Europe, in one of the very nations liberated in the months following D-Day!
We most often associate the sovereign with Britain and her Empire, and indeed gold sovereign coins have been minted both here and in other Commonwealth countries: but never before has a sovereign coin been minted in mainland Europe! Now, in a unique collaboration, this gold one-eighth sovereign coin has been struck at the Royal Dutch Mint – the first coin of its kind ever minted on the European mainland – and in one of the nations liberated by in the months that followed the D-Day landings!
This significant first has been occasioned by the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
If you look closely between Britannia and Liberty, you will see two special marks: the caduceus (staff of Mercury) which is the symbol of the Royal Dutch Mint, and the raven, the mark of the
current mintmaster.
This is a one-eighth sovereign, so it cannot be a Dutch coin – the Netherlands have the euro as their currency. However, these marks which are applied at the time of minting, are your assurance that
this coin was struck by the Royal Dutch Mint, but as part of a special co-operation for this 80th anniversary of D-Day. This is the first time sovereign coins have been minted in mainland Europe!
The caduceus has been the mark of the Royal Dutch Mint since 1816. Otherwise known as the Staff of Mercury, it features two snakes entwined around a staff topped with wings, representing Mercury, the Roman god of merchants and trades – hence its association with the mint. The privy mark of Bert van Ravenswaaij, current mintmaster at the Dutch Royal Mint, is the raven.
To mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, this gold one-eighth sovereign was produced under special co-operation by the Royal Dutch Mint, as part of a sovereign series. Only the one-eighth sovereign was minted there, and it is the first sovereign coin ever to be minted in mainland Europe. Best of all, it’s available to you now!
Britannia and Liberty, symbols of freedom, appear together for the first time on this world-first gold one-eighth sovereign
The incredible courage and commitment shown by Allied troops on D-Day will be forever etched in the history books. As these events slip from living memory, the 2024 D-Day 80th Anniversary One Eighth Sovereign is an important tribute to those who fought for liberty in Europe.
This exceptional coin features Britannia, trident in hand, and Liberty, clasping an olive branch, advancing eastwards. This is the first gold sovereign ever to feature both these personifications of freedom on the one coin. In the background is a flowing coastal motif and on the horizon stands a lighthouse, modelled on that found at Ouistreham, at the eastern side of Sword Beach. Daylight rays expand out from the horizon, symbolising a new dawn and the forthcoming liberation of Europe after D-Day. This new gold one-eighth sovereign with its world-first design is an exceptional tribute to D-Day, and is likely to be keenly sought by collectors and history enthusiasts alike.
Authorised by Tristan Da Cunha and approved by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Buckingham Palace, it is a wonderful tribute – the first time ever that a sovereign coin has been minted in mainland Europe.
The sale of every coin will benefit SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity
The Soldiers’, Sailors’, Airmen and Families Association, known as SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, provides support for our Forces and their families in their time of need.
All coins purchased from the 2024 D-Day 80th Anniversary Gold Sovereign Series will support SSAFA as it continues to provide welfare and well-being assistance to our forces and their families. 10% of all net profits will be paid in support of SSAFA
