Royal Mint makes commemorative coin for Army
Boundless International Congress Coordinator Lieut-Colonel Eddie Hobgood mints the first limited-edition coin honouring 150 years of The Salvation Army.
The Royal Mint in the United Kingdom is issuing a special £5 coin honouring 150 years of The Salvation Army.
The first limited-edition sterling-silver coin was minted on Wednesday 27 May by Lieutenant-Colonel Eddie Hobgood (International Congress Coordinator) and the second by Major John Murray (International Headquarters Communications and Literary Secretary). The two visitors were also given opportunity to speak to the team involved in the coin production, explaining the history of The Salvation Army and its ministry in 126 countries.
The coin is to be struck for Alderney – one of the Channel Islands situated between the south coast of England and France. A Royal Mint representative says he believes this is the first Salvation Army coin created by an official mint.
The Royal Mint’s Director of Commemorative Coin and Medals, Shane Bissett, says: “This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the 150th anniversary and evolution of this much-loved organisation – still bringing hope to people today.”
Lieut-Colonel Hobgood adds: “The Salvation Army is grateful to The Royal Mint for its extraordinary recognition in this, our 150th year.”
The reverse design for the coin was created by Laura Clancy, one of The Royal Mint’s leading designers.
The design includes the familiar Salvation Army shield and a laurel wreath. A Royal Mint press release explains that the design was “inspired by the cheering warmth and familiarity of the Salvation Army brass band playing carols, a distinctive feature of any British high street in the run-up to Christmas”. It seeks to make the viewer “think more deeply about the organisation, and the tireless good work that its volunteers are engaged in all year round”.
“I wanted to create a design that commemorates their achievements. Something classic, celebratory and with something we all know and recognise at the heart of it,” Laura says.
As with all official British coinage, the “obverse” side, or the “head” side, contains a portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the year.
The coin is being released in two forms, a cupro-nickel version (similar metal content to all silver-coloured UK coins) and a limited-edition sterling silver version. The cupro-nickel coin will sell for £13 ($A26) and the silver coin – of which only 1500 are being minted – will cost £80 ($A160).
The coins are available to purchase direct from the Royal Mint and will also be for sale at The Salvation Army's international congress in July.
Click here to find out more information.
Report courtesy of IHQ
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