1994 Fifty Pence Gold Proof - D DayD Day 1944To commemorate the anniversary of the Allied Invasion of Europe, the Royal Mint issued a limited number of gold proof fifty pence coins.Plans to liberate Europe began in earnest in the spring of 1943. Under the Supreme Allied Commander, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the air, the sea, and land might of Britain, the Commonwealth, and the United States as well as units from virtually every occupied country in Europe was to form the largest invasion force even seen. By the spring of 1944 more than three million men had gathered in southern England in readiness for the Normandy landings. It was realised that an invasion was likely in the summer of 1944 but the exact date and location remained one of the best kept secrets of the War. Thus Operation Overlord, one of the most difficult military operations ever undertaken, was able to begin just after midnight on 6th June 1944 - in the first hour of the day that would forever be known as D-Day. The Allied invasion force filling the sea and sky, and heading for Normandy on 6th June 1944 is vividly captured on this splendid commemorative coin. The design was created by award winning sculptor John Mills and was inspired by his boyhood recollections of that historic day. Looking up at the sky he saw it filled with distinctively marked planes and realised that the invasion of France was underway. Obverse - Third PortraitThe obverse bears the elegant portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Raphael MakloufReverseThe reverse design is by sculptor John Mills, who can remember 6th June 1944 "Planes of all kinds... were thundering overhead. Wave after wave of machines, all heading in one direction, towards where I knew the seaside to be, south." Of course, he was 50 years younger then, but the inspiration from the design comes partly through having been able to experience the events of the time. The theme of the reverse depicts ships and planes taking part in the D-Day landings.Specifications
Notes on TableIssue Price = Official Royal Mint issue price.* Plus 500 reserved for inclusion in three-coin gold proof sets. Prices & AvailabilityThis coin does not have a certificate. It is the last one in stock.
You may wish to use our order form. Postage & PackingUK Registered Post (Special Delivery) £9 per orderEU Insured Post £10 per order USA Airmail $10, Insured Shipping $20 Canada Airmail $15, Insured Shipping $30 |
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Obverse of 1994 Gold Proof Fifty Pence
Reverse of 1994 D-Day Gold Proof Fifty Pence
1994 D-Day Gold Proof Fifty Pence in Presentation Box |
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