2017 Gold Proof 2 Pounds (£2), First World War Aviation

Supplied in the original royal mint box with certificate of authenticity.

15.97 grams of 22 carat Gold.

Mintage: 455

This £2 coin commemorates the First World War Centenary (100th Anniversary of the First World War) and the role and contribution of the Royal Air Force in it. It is the fourth coin in a five-year series, on a journey from "outbreak to armistice".

The Royal Mint says:
"The first aircraft were wooden-framed fuselages covered with doped linen, with wooden wings attached and a basic cockpit. These aircraft were unreliable, crashed frequently and crews did not carry parachutes. Early engines were weak, making it difficult to become airborne with a man inside, while any weaponry added to the weight. In the early days of the war, fire was the airman’s worst enemy rather than enemy pilots.

As technology developed, air combat became an exciting form of warfare in the eyes of the press and the public. The exploits of fighter pilots, or ‘aces’, were particularly romanticised, portrayed as noble ‘gentlemen duellists’ in the skies above the horror of the trenches.

The edge lettering of this coin pays tribute to the first aviators to sacrifice their lives in the race for the skies, remembering the days of the war when ‘The Sky Rained Heroes'".

The reverse design was created by Dan Flashman of Tangerine Design, who were also responsible for the design of the 2014 Commonwealth Games fifty pence.

The reverse features an engraving of a biplane flying over fields, with a pilot and an airman taking photographs of the ground below. The airman's scarf is caught in the wind.

Around above right, 1914 · 1918; around below right - facing in the opposite direction - THE WAR IN THE AIR. Under the left wing, small letters HDG (for Henry Gray).

The date, value and denomination are on the obverse.

Rest assured all photographs are of the actual coin you will receive.

All postage including overseas shipping is fully insured.

Payment within 24 hours please.

All gold products to U.K. will be posted Royal Mail Fully Insured next day Special Delivery, overseas shipping is by DHL Express. If you have any questions please feel free to message me.