2017 First World War WW1 Aviation Two Pound Silver Proof Coin

2017 First World War WW1 Aviation Two Pound Silver Proof Coin

*Please remember the coin could have toning! If you would like to email me for more photos of the actual coin that you will receive to see the condition please do so.*

The idea of pilots and the war in the sky often conjures up romantic notions of ‘the fighter ace,’ but at the beginning of the First World War, it was thought that aircraft would be used predominantly for observation and reconnaissance. The Royal Flying Corps began life as an ‘eye in the sky,’ and pilots were relied upon throughout the war for photographs from behind enemy lines, and creating reliable maps of an ever-changing landscape. However, flying was a dangerous job, and over 9,000 members of the British and Commonwealth flying services lost their lives. In honour of the contribution of the Royal Flying Corps, both the men in the sky and the women who contributed in the factories and drawing offices, The Royal Mint released a series of commemorative coins, including this silver proof Two Pound. The reverse is designed by the Tangerine Design Agency, led by Daniel Flashman. The design features a Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 plane, which was commonly used for reconnaissance, in recognition of this vital role which is often overlooked in favour of the fighter pilots. The clean lines of the plane and ground below are inspired by the aesthetics of blueprints and cartography, honouring the young women ‘tracers’ who produced blueprints for the ever advancing manufacturers, and the role pilots played in creating maps. The edge carries the inscription ‘THE SKY RAINED HEROES’ while the obverse features Jody Clark’s 2015 portrait of The Queen. Struck in .925 sterling silver with fine gold plating around the edge, this coin is one of 3,500 issued in this presentation. It weighs 12.00 grams and comes in the original Royal Mint packaging with its numbered certificate of authenticity.