First, the year 2015 marked 100 years since the Great War began. The Royal Mint wanted something special. They didn’t just slap a date on it and call it a day. Oh no. They crafted a coin that tells a story—without using a single word.
The design is a masterpiece of subtle genius. It shows a broken arch, three soldiers, and a sunset. But here’s the kicker: the soldiers are walking away from the arch. It’s a metaphor for leaving home and never coming back. Heavy, right? But also brilliant in its simplicity.
Flip it over to the queen’s side, and you get a normal coin. But seriously, who cares about the queen when the other side is a war drama in metal?
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Here’s where it gets fun. This coin was designed by a guy named John Bergdahl. He’s not a famous artist—he’s a teacher. He won a public competition to design it. Imagine winning £10,000 just for doodling a war scene. Talk about a side hustle.
Another weird detail? The coin is bi-metallic. That means it’s made of two different metals: a nickel-brass ring and a copper-nickel center. It jingles differently in your hand. Next time you jingle your change, listen for that distinct “clink.” That’s history’s sound.
And get this—the coin’s edge has an inscription. It reads: “IN FLANDERS FIELDS THE POPPIES BLOW.” That’s from the famous poem by John McCrae. Only two million of these coins were minted in circulation quality. That’s a tiny number compared to standard two-pound coins. Scarcity makes it a collector’s dream.
First World War £2 coin: how much is it worth? | The US Sun
