Royal Mint Launches VE Day Commemorative Coins for 80th Anniversary
A new 50p coin is being released
A new 50p coin commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day is being released by the Royal Mint to honour the end of the Second World War in Europe.
The coin, which features a dove of peace and the inscription “In peace goodwill”, will be available for purchase from 9am on Thursday via the Mint’s website. The design is a reimagining of an earlier motif that appeared on a £2 coin in 1995, marking the 50th anniversary of Victory in Europe.
The VE Day 50p will be offered in a range of finishes, including brilliant uncirculated, silver, and gold. A special gold edition of the coin will be struck on 8 May 2025 to mark the anniversary itself.
To celebrate the launch, the Royal Mint invited two veterans from the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans to its site in South Wales. Ron Horsey, 98, and Richard Pelzer, 101, both from Swansea and both former Royal Engineers, toured the manufacturing facility and took part in the coin-striking process.
“I’m incredibly proud to have been invited to the Royal Mint to strike this coin,” said Mr Horsey, “VE Day holds such meaning for me and many others, and to be able to strike this design representing peace on to a coin all these years later is truly moving. I hope this coin reminds people of the freedom we enjoy today and the cost at which it came.”
Dick Goodwin, vice president of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, described the visit as “a wonderful experience”.
Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said: “The VE Day coin pays tribute to the courage, sacrifice and resilience of the generation who secured peace in Europe in May 1945 and it was fitting to welcome Ron and Richard to site to strike one of the first coins.”
The Royal Mint regularly issues coins to commemorate historic events. Recent releases include a Red Arrows 50p, a Stories of the Second World War 50p, and an 80th Anniversary of D-Day 50p.
Prices for the new VE Day 50p coin start at £14.50 for a brilliant uncirculated version and go up to £1,725 for the gold edition struck on 8 May. A 10-coin VE Day set will also be available, priced at £1,640.