This year marks the 75th Anniversary of VE Day; the day peace was brought upon Britain after six long years of war and conflict during the Second World War.
VE (Victory in Europe) Day, 8th May 1945, the day Winston Churchill declared the war was over within Europe, that had cost millions their homes and even their lives. Germany had surrendered and thousands all across the country marked the great victory with street parties, singing and rejoicing.
Here are five things that you may not know about VE Day, Winston Churchill and the decline of the German forces…
Gold Quarter Sovereign
To mark this occasion, we’d like to introduce the VE Day 75th Anniversary Gold Quarter Sovereign, the world’s first Quarter Sovereign with a ‘white’ rhodium-platinum finish, to symbolise the peace brought to the country by VE Day.
The coin features Prime Minister Winston Churchill announcing the news of Germany’s surrender, via radio broadcast. This notable Sovereign has a limited mintage of just 3,999 and has been given our new ‘sell-out guarantee’ status.
This means that availability of this coin will end on 31st August 2020, and any unsold coins at this time will be melted down and verified. A new certificate will then be issued, stating the final mintage, which could deem this coin a low-mintage rarity. If the full limitation is maintained at 3,999, this means it sold out fully.
Five Facts About VE Day
Here are five things that you may not know about VE Day, Winston Churchill and the decline of the German forces.
1. Germany signed an ‘unconditional’ surrender. On 30th April 1945, Adolf Hitler committed suicide after Britain surrounded Berlin, leaving them defenceless. On 7th May, Chief of Staff Colonel, General Alfred Jodl, signed the unconditional surrender in Reims, France, of all German forces, despite hoping to limit this initially to only those fighting in Western Allies.
Upon the request to limit this to just the West, General Dwight Eisenhower demanded complete surrender of all German forces, or there would be consequences, and so Jodl was ordered to sign the surrender by Hitler’s successor Grand Admiral Karl Dönitz.
As the German High Command in Reims had not signed the surrender document, the surrender ceremony was repeated in Berlin on 8th May, being signed on behalf by Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel, Colonel-General Hans-Jürgen Stumpff and General-Admiral Hans Georg von Friedeburg.
From this, millions of German soldiers surrendered to Allied forces, escaping Soviet capture and ending the war within Europe. The 7th May marked the war with Nazi Germany, over.
2. Many people celebrated early. Many people in Britain didn’t wait for the official announcement, and instead celebrated early as soon as they heard the news on 7th May. Colourful buntings and flags adorned the streets and bonfires were lit on the eve of the official VE Day, as celebrations got in full swing.
3. Winston Churchill addressed the whole nation. Britain’s Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, was a huge driving force behind the victory over Nazi Germany. Now that peace had come, at 3pm on VE Day, he broadcast across the nation that the war had ended in Europe. He then noted that the war still continued elsewhere, as Japan had yet to be defeated.Later, Churchill returned to address Britain, this time from the balcony of the Ministry of Health building in London, declaring that the war was officially over.
4. The nation celebrated into the night and pubs opened late. The VE Day celebrations continued all day and all night, with the largest of the crowds being seen in London and other major cities. Parties commenced, fireworks were set off and many people rejoiced with those they had never even met before to celebrate the momentous occasion.
Licensing hours were also extended and dance halls stayed open until midnight, so that the whole country could celebrate the end of the war with a drink (or several)!
5. The Royal Family celebrated. The British Royals joined in the countries celebrations from Buckingham Palace. Thousands of people gathered down The Mall, where King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and their daughters, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret, appeared on the balcony to wave and cheer with the crowds.
The King and Queen made a total of eight appearances on the balcony, even joined by Winston Churchill who to date, is the only non-Royal to officially appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony. King George then finished his appearances with an address to the nation:
“Let us remember those who will not come back. Let us remember the men in all the services, and the women in all the services, who have laid down their lives. We have come to the end of our tribulation and they are not with us at the moment of our rejoicing.”
You can purchase our VE Day Gold Quarter Sovereign HERE for the introductory price of £99 (plus £4.99 postage). After 30th June 2020, this price will increase to £199, subject to availability.
If you’d like to enquire about any other coins in the 2020 VE Day 75th Anniversary Gold Sovereign Series, then please call 0333 234 3103.
