We'll mint again: £2 coins to celebrate Sussex's Dame Vera Lynn go on sale
The Forces' sweetheart from Ditchling died at her home in 2020 aged 103
Forces' sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn from Sussex is being celebrated with the launch of £2 coins designed by the Royal Mint.
The singer and entertainer from Ditchling lifted people's spirits during the Second World War with songs including We'll Meet Again and The White Cliffs Of Dover.
The reverse design of the £2 coin design features a detailed portrait of Dame Vera, accompanied by her name and the dates denoting the years of her life. The coin also features an edge inscription that reads: "We'll meet again".
Dame Vera continued to perform and win new fans long after the Second World War. She died at her home in June 2020, aged 103.
The coin, designed by the Royal Mint's in-house designers, was originally unveiled as part of a five-coin collection.
Dame Vera's daughter, Virginia Lewis-Jones, said: "It's fantastic to see my mother celebrated in this way and to ensure her legacy lives on.
"We're just so excited and pleased - even more so knowing that Royal Mint coins require approval of Her Majesty the Queen. I'm especially pleased that this coin is available to international collectors.
"Over the years I've always been touched by the sacks of letters we receive from people all over the world who have been moved in some way by my mother's music, charity work or morale-boosting performances during the war."
Dame Vera also became heavily involved with charity work later in her life. In particular, she campaigned for the Burma Star Association - a British veterans' association for ex-servicemen and women who served in the Burma Campaign during the Second World War.
She was made a Dame in 1975 and a Companion of Honour in 2016.
Clare Maclennan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said: "Dame Vera Lynn's songs were crucial in maintaining morale during the Second World War and it is an honour to celebrate her legacy on a £2 coin.
"The collectable £2 is the Royal Mint's latest tribute to one of Britain's greatest national treasures. We are delighted to have worked with Dame Vera's family to help this coin come to life."
The coin will not enter general circulation, but collectors can buy brilliant uncirculated, silver and gold versions from the Royal Mint's website.
Prices range from £10 for a brilliant uncirculated version of the £2 coin to £11,430 for a 5oz gold coin in a denomination of £500.