Information
The story behind this year’s RBL Masterpiece Poppy Coin
Want to know how a 1945 British Army Mess Tin, a WWII Spitfire and a D-Day Landing Craft have been repurposed to serve as a poignant tribute to the fallen? Keep reading to find out.
Army Mess Tins 
WWII Spitfire 
Landing Crafts on D-Day
Since 2004, The Westminster Collection has felt honored to be in partnership with the Royal British Legion, supporting them year on year by raising funds which enable them to continue to provide financial, social and emotional support to members and veterans of the UK Armed Forces, their families and dependents.
In support of the Royal British Legion, each year we produce a stand-out coin to mark Remembrance Day. We call it the ‘Masterpiece’.
And now, we’re excited to announce details of this year’s ‘Masterpiece’ coin…
Masterpiece Poppy Coin mould 
Masterpiece Poppy Coin centrepiece
When you discover the story behind the metal used to create this coin, you’ll quickly realize that it’s one of the most unique and historically fascinating coins ever released. It really does live up to its name.
The Masterpiece
As this year marks the Centenary of the Royal British Legion, an exceptional Masterpiece Poppy Coin has been released, commemorating this important milestone. It represents the three military facets of RBL ─ the Army, RAF and the Navy.
This is why we commissioned a three-dimensional ‘1921 style’ Poppy to be crafted from three pieces of historic metal representing the three divisions of the military:
1. WWII Spitfire ─ to be precise, the MK356, which flew during the D-Day campaign and shot down a German Me Bf109
2. A British Army Mess Tin from 1945
3. Landing Craft LCT7074 ─ the actual craft that landed on Gold Beach during D-Day
Historic Metals ─ crafted into a Masterpiece…
We acquired the craft metal with the kind assistance of the National Museum of the Royal Navy at Portsmouth, allowing us to source the substance from the original steel plating of the landing craft LCT 7074. LCT 7074 landed on Gold Beach on D-Day, 6th June 1944, and the plating used is from the hull that was physically in contact with the actual beach on D-Day itself. Today, LCT is the only surviving Landing Craft Tank left from this momentous day.
The LCT 7074 last surviving Landing Craft in Portsmouth 
Extracting steel from the LCT 7074 Landing Craft Tank 
Steel taken from the LCT 7074 Landing Craft
You may notice dark spots visible within the red enamel of some Poppies ─ and these are the filings from the historic LCT 7074 Steel.
Filing the steel taken from the LCT 7074 Landing Craft 
Steel filings from the LCT 7074 Landing Craft placed into the red enamel liquid for the Masterpiece Poppy Coin
The material used derived from Army origins is a combination of ex-MK356 metal and 1945 dated ex-British Army Mess Tins, mixed to a 50:50 ratio. The MK-356, officially named the Spitfire Mk IX, took an active part in D-Day operations in June 1944. The original wing main spar was removed around the year 2008, and it is this metal that has been combined with the Mess Tins.
Army mess tins being melted down 
Army mess tin turning to liquid under heat
Mess tins were and still are used for a number of different things within the Army. Soldiers use them to heat food, eat from, boil water and to wash and shave in. They can be cleaned easily and used for storage of other items.
Hot Army mess tin melted liquid being handled 
Hot Army mess tin melted liquid
During the Second World War, aluminum was a scarce commodity primarily reserved for aircraft production, and whilst perhaps not as romantic as the Spitfire, these tins are significant items ─ because an army marches on its stomach!
Poppy mould being put in liquid to begin the process of shaping the centrepiece for the Masterpiece 2021 Poppy Coin 
Masterpiece Poppy Coin centrepiece having come out of the liquid 
Masterpiece Poppy Coin centrepiece having been cleaned 
Individual Masterpiece Poppy Coin centrepieces 
Masterpiece Poppy Coin centrepiece being filled in with the red enamel liquid 
The Masterpiece Poppy Coin Centrepiece
What’s more, it has been struck from 5oz of fine 999/1000 Silver and is an impressive 65mm in diameter!
If you’re interested…
FIRST LOOK: Unboxing Alice Through the Looking-Glass Silver Proof 50ps
Today’s video is a special one, as I give you an exclusive FIRST LOOK at the Alice Through the Looking-Glass Silver Proof 50p collection.
Issued to celebrate Lewis Carroll’s literary classic ‘Through the Looking-Glass, and what Alice found there’, today’s new release follows in the footsteps of these Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland 50p coins that quickly became one of the most popular coins releases of the year.
And In the video I’ll reveal exactly what you’ll find inside of the limited edition Silver Proof collection that only 1,995 collectors can own!
If you’re interested…
‘BLAMTASTIC!’ NEW 50p Coins released to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Dennis!
Recently, we announced an exciting brand new collection of 50p coins celebrating the 70th anniversary of the longest running comic strip in Beano® comics – Dennis! Unsurprisingly, since their release, the coins have seen huge demand as collectors and beloved comic fans alike race to get theirs.
But, before anything else, you must know that all the specifications of these coins have been released in extremely low edition limits. When you consider that over 1.5 million people were once part of the official Beano Fan Club, they are virtually guaranteed to not satisfy demand.
The 50p has firmly established itself as the collector’s favourite coin, so it was only right the pesky trouble makers from the Beano classic feature on them. Authorised for release by Pitcairn Islands, fully approved by Her Majesty the Queen and officially licensed by Beano®, don’t miss out on the chance of securing yours.
Find out more about these new coins and how to order them below >>
The Complete Brilliant Uncirculated 50p Set
This stunning collection features all five new 50p coins, each struck to a Brilliant Uncirculated quality and featuring carefully curated designs by illustrator Glyn Davies. These include:
- Dennis’s 70th Anniversary
- Gnasher
- Minnie the Minx
- Roger the Dodger
- Billy Whizz
What’s more, the coins will come protectively housed in an officially licensed presentation pack – adding further to its desirability.
Limited to JUST 15,000 sets worldwide you’ll need to act fast if you’d like to own on.
Click here to secure yours for just £31.25 (+p&p) >>
The Superior Coloured Silver Proof 50p…
The Silver Proof version of Official Dennis ‘70’ 50p coin features a special illustration of Dennis, alongside a stylised ‘70’ – to honour the 70th Anniversary. What’s more, the coin has been struck to a flawless Proof finish from .925 Sterling Silver with selective vivid colour printing to bring the design to life!
The Silver Proof editions are without a doubt the collector’s favourite and almost always acquire fast sell-outs and with an edition limit of JUST 4,999 coins this will be no exception.
Click here to guarantee yours >>
The COMPLETE Silver Proof 50p Collection
The Silver Proof set is by far the most limited and exclusive way to own these five new 50ps. With only 1,999 available to collectors worldwide, it is almost certain that they won’t be around for long.
Each coin is struck from .925 Silver, to a Proof finish, with the addition of colour. They will arrive protectively encapsulated, ready to display in a presentation box, along with numbered Certificate of Authenticity, confirming its place in the stringent edition limit.
Don’t miss out on yours… Click here and secure yours with a deposit of only £32.50 today >>
The ULTIMATE Silver Proof Cover – JUST 50 worldwide
If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind way to own the brand new Silver Proof 50p coins in undoubtedly the smallest edition presentation, then the 2021 Dennis’s 70th Anniversary Ultimate Silver Proof 50p Cover is for you.
Limited strictly to JUST 50 worldwide, each collection features all five Dennis 50p coins, struck from .925 Sterling Silver with the addition of vivid selective colour, paired alongside the BRAND NEW Royal Mail Dennis Miniature Sheet – postmarked on the first day of issue 01/07/2021. This one-day-only postmark guarantees the strict 50 edition limit – so no more will ever be released.
From a collector’s point of view, the decision is obvious. You won’t find these Silver Proof 50p coins in a smaller edition presentation anywhere else. Secure yours with a deposit of just £37.50 today >>
The Complete Brilliant Uncirculated 50p Cover – JUST 750 available
Also available is the Complete Dennis’s 70th Anniversary Ultimate BU Cover. Limited strictly to just 750, each collection features all five Dennis Brilliant Uncirculated 50p coins alongside the BRAND NEW Royal Mail Dennis Miniature Sheet – postmarked on the first day of issue 01/07/2021.
Almost certainly, this is one of the smallest edition presentations of the new BU 50p coins that you’re likely to see and they are exclusively available from The Westminster Collection.