Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint
  • 5 Pounds 2020, Sp# L87, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Remembrance Day, 100th Anniversary of the Burial of the Unknown Warrior
  • 5 Pounds 2020, Sp# L87, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Remembrance Day, 100th Anniversary of the Burial of the Unknown Warrior
  • 5 Pounds 2020, Sp# L87, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Remembrance Day, 100th Anniversary of the Burial of the Unknown Warrior, Royal Mint case
Description

A piedfort is an unusually thick coin, often exactly twice the normal weight and thickness of other coins of the same diameter and pattern. Piedforts are not normally circulated, and are only struck for presentation purposes by mint officials (such as patterns), or for collectors, dignitaries, and other VIPs.

Remembrance Day (sometimes known informally as Poppy Day) is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth of Nations member states since the end of the First World War to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. Following a tradition inaugurated by King George V in 1919, the day is also marked by war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth countries. Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November in most countries to recall the end of hostilities of World War I on that date in 1918.

2020 official UK Remembrance Day £5 coin marks the 100th anniversary of the burial of the unknown warrior, the unidentifiable British soldier repatriated in 1920 for ceremonial burial in honour of all those lost in the First World War.

Obverse

The fifth crowned portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the George IV State Diadem and drop earrings.

The George IV State Diadem, officially the Diamond Diadem, is a type of crown that was made in 1820 for King George IV. The diadem is worn by queens and queens consort in procession to coronations and State Openings of Parliament. The piece of jewelry has been featured in paintings and on stamps and currency. It can be seen in the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace.

ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FIDEI DEFENSATRIX means Elizabeth II, by the grace of God, Queen and Defender of the Faith.

Engraver: Jody Clark

ELIZABETH II·D·G·REG·F·D·5 POUNDS·2020·
J.C

Reverse

Depicts the silhouette of a soldier with their head hung low in reflection against a backdrop of vibrant red poppies.

The remembrance poppy is an artificial flower that has been used since 1921 to commemorate military personnel who have died in war, and represents a common or field poppy, Papaver rhoeas. The red remembrance poppy has become a familiar emblem of Remembrance Day due to the poem "In Flanders Fields" written by Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. After reading the poem, Moina Michael, a professor at the University of Georgia, wrote the poem, "We Shall Remember," and swore to wear a red poppy on the anniversary. The custom spread to Europe and the countries of the British Empire and Commonwealth within three years. Poppies were worn for the first time at the 1921 anniversary ceremony. At first real poppies were worn. These poppies bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Flanders in World War I; their brilliant red colour became a symbol for the blood spilled in the war.

"Lest we forget" is a phrase commonly used in war remembrance services and commemorative occasions in English speaking countries. Before the term was used in reference to soldiers and war, it was first used in an 1897 Christian poem written by Rudyard Kipling called "Recessional". The phrase occurs eight times; and is repeated at the end of the first four stanzas in order to add particular emphasis regarding the dangers of failing to remember.

'God of our fathers, known of old,
Lord of our far-flung battle line,
Beneath whose awful hand we hold
Dominion over palm and pine—
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!'

Engraver: Natasha Preece

LEST WE FORGET
11 NOVEMBER 2020
N·P

Edge

5 Pounds (Crown)

5th portrait, Silver Proof Piedfort Coin

Remembrance Day
100th Anniversary of the Burial of the Unknown Warrior

Subscribe series
Sp# L87
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.925
Weight 56.56 g
Diameter 38.61 mm
Thickness 5.78 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Mint

Related coins

4th portrait

Remembrance Day

Nickel Plated Steel, 4.4 g, ⌀ 23.88 mm
5th portrait

Remembrance Day

Cupronickel, 28.28 g, ⌀ 38.61 mm
5th portrait, Silver Proof Coin

Remembrance Day

Silver, 28.28 g, ⌀ 38.61 mm