Not everyone loved the design, by the way. Some historians grumbled that a single poppy and soldier were too generic. “Where’s the mud? The trenches? The horror?” they asked. Fair point.
But the Royal Mint argued simplicity was the point. A poppy is a battlefield flower—it grows where blood was spilled. The soldier? He’s every soldier. (Also, fitting three million Tommies onto a 28mm coin is tricky.)
Personally? I think the minimalism works. It doesn’t pretend to show war—it just reminds you to stop and think. And in 2014, a time of endless digital noise, a quiet coin in your hand was kind of revolutionary.
The Scarcity (and Your Chance to Find One)
Here’s where it gets interesting for collectors. The Royal Mint struck over 5 million of these for circulation. That sounds like a lot, right? But many were hoarded immediately. Museums, veterans groups, and souvenir hunters snapped them up.
So today, finding one in your change is rare but possible—like spotting a double-yolk egg. If you do find one, don’t spend it on a sandwich. Check the edge inscription. Check the condition. A shiny, uncirculated one can fetch £10 to £20 online.
Mini confession: I found a second one in 2018 at a car boot sale for 50p. The seller thought it was “just a £2 coin.” I didn’t correct him. (Sorry, not sorry.)
100th Anniversary of the First World War and Outbreak | Articles on
