From Outbreak to Armistice – a Journey in Coins (2024)

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From Outbreak to Armistice –
a Journey in Coins

Looking back over a five-year programme of commemoration

A Story in Coins

The Royal Mint has a long-standing tradition of honouring heroes and heroines, even producing many of the medals awarded for service in the Armed Forces. In 2014 we started a five-year programme to commemorate every year of the First World War. As the series comes to close in 2018, 100 years on from the final months of war and the moment of armistice, it is time to reflect.

Five Years of War

Our collection has grown over five years, giving a unique insight into the First World War; from optimistic start to much longed-for armistice.

2014 – Outbreak

The iconic image of Field Marshal Horatio Herbert Kitchener appeared on the first £2 coin of the commemorative series, recalling the rousing call to enlist that moved so many to action.

The first five-ounce coin of the range featured John Bergdahl’s interpretation of Britannia, a symbol of the patriotism and positivity that was present at the outbreak of war.

2015 – In the Grip of Conflict

We honoured the role of the Royal Navy, the force that defeated Germany’s High Seas Fleet, as we looked backed to 1915 with an authentic design by military artist David Rowlands.

Esteemed sculptor James Butler MBE RA captured the utter devastation caused by conflict in a haunting design for the five-ounce coin.

2016 – The Horrors of Total War

We paid tribute to the Army and the Pals Battalions with an unusual and futuristic design by creative agency Uniform.

David Lawrence remembered the war poets who gave a unique insight into the heroism and horrors of war.

2017 – The Human Cost of War

Our coin commemorating 1917 honoured the aviators who went before, beyond and above us to win the ‘race for the skies’.

Philip Jackson counted the human cost of a brutally industrialised and prolonged war with a wreath surrounding a soldier in ‘rest on arms reverse’ position.

2018 - A Time To Reflect

The series closes with two coins – a poignant £2 coin considering ‘the pity of war’ and a five-ounce and kilo with the lone figure of a soldier as the guns fell silent. Later in the year two more six-coin sets will be released, one marking the beginning of the end and the second, final release will mark the legacy of armistice.

View the 2018 range

2018 - A Time To Reflect

The series closes with two coins – a poignant £2 coin considering ‘the pity of war’ and a five-ounce and kilo with the lone figure of a soldier as the guns fell silent. Later in the year two more six-coin sets will be released, one marking the beginning of the end and the second, final release will mark the legacy of armistice.

View the 2018 range

An Important Partnership

When we set out on this five-year journey, we knew that we would need the help of experts to ensure an authentic collection that would give a unique insight into the conflict and tell the story behind the coins.

Imperial War Museums (IWMs) was founded during the First World War with the mission to preserve and tell the stories of life during war and conflict. That mission remains unchanged to this day, with five museum sites to visit, online collections and events run around the country each year to educate the next generation.

For the First World War centenary collection, The Royal Mint has worked with IWMs, helping us to source special imagery and accounts to help us capture the story of the First World War.

We are also proud that a donation from every coin purchased from The Royal Mint’s First World War Collection goes to the IWMs to help their important work continue.

Back to the First World War Hub