As Britain gears up for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Royal Mint is celebrating achievements from our heritage with the release of 18 sterling silver Proof coins. Each of the £5 coins features the London 2012 logo in colour on the reverse while the Queen’s portrait by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS graces the obverse.
The image of Sir Winston Churchill on this £5 coin takes inspiration from the bronze statue of the great orator and statesman in Parliament Square, London, scuplted by Ivor Roberts-Jones. Churchill was known for his strong determination and leadership, qualities many Olympians and Paralympians need to be successful in the London 2012 Games.
Show/hide further information about this product
Designer Shane Greeves worked closely with the Royal Mint Engraving Team to produce this special coin that combines a stirring quote with a symbolic image to encapsulate the emotion, the wonders and greatness of Britain and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The inscription on the coin, ‘Be daring, be first, be different, be just’, is by the late British businesswoman, human rights activist and environmental campaigner Dame Anita Roddick DBE, and is a way of referring to the courage and qualities needed to be successful, whether in business or indeed in the sporting world, especially the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Great acts of courage and heroism are not only displayed at times of conflict by servicemen and servicewomen and rewarded with medals of gallantry, but are also performed by the general public – ordinary men, women and children who show remarkable bravery and selflessness within their communities. Sometimes courage is shown through disability and illness or often risking their own lives to save others.
Sir Winston Churchill has been chosen to appear on this coin to represent courage. A noted statesman and great orator, he was known for his strong determination and leadership as Britain’s Prime Minister during the Second World War, inciting the nation to be brave at such traumatic times and leading Britain to victory.