The Royal Mint has unveiled a new commemorative 50p coin to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, celebrating the end of the Second World War in Europe. Featuring a dove of peace and the inscription “In peace goodwill”, the design is a powerful reminder of the historic events of 8 May 1945 and the enduring importance of peace.
The new coins will be available to buy from 9am on Thursday via the Royal Mint’s official website, with options ranging from a brilliant uncirculated finish to more exclusive silver and gold editions. A special gold version of the coin will be struck on VE Day itself, 8 May 2025, making it a prized item for collectors and history enthusiasts alike.
The dove and inscription are not entirely new — they originally appeared on a £2 coin released in 1995 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of VE Day. Their reappearance on the new 50p coin gives the design a sense of historical continuity, linking past commemorations with present-day reflection.
To launch the new coin, the Royal Mint invited guests from the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans to its site in Llantrisant, South Wales. Among them were veterans Ron Horsey, 98, and Richard Pelzer, 101, both from Swansea, who served with the Royal Engineers during the war. The two veterans were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the Mint’s facilities and were given the honour of striking some of the very first coins in the new series.
Speaking at the event, Mr Horsey said: “I’m incredibly proud to have been invited to the Royal Mint to strike this coin. VE Day holds such meaning for me and many others, and to be able to strike this design representing peace on to a coin all these years later is truly moving. I hope this coin reminds people of the freedom we enjoy today and the cost at which it came.”
Dick Goodwin, vice president of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, described the visit as “a wonderful experience,” expressing gratitude to the Royal Mint for recognising the contributions of veterans and honouring their legacy in such a tangible way.
Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, added: “The VE Day coin pays tribute to the courage, sacrifice and resilience of the generation who secured peace in Europe in May 1945, and it was fitting to welcome Ron and Richard to site to strike one of the first coins.”
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The Royal Mint has a long-standing tradition of commemorating key moments in British history through its coinage. Recent releases include coins marking the Red Arrows, the stories of the Second World War, and the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Prices for the new VE Day 50p coin start at £14.50 for a brilliant uncirculated edition. The gold version, to be struck on VE Day itself, will retail for £1,725. For dedicated collectors, a full 10-coin set commemorating the 80th anniversary is also available, priced at £1,640.
As the nation prepares to mark eight decades since the end of conflict in Europe, the Royal Mint’s latest offering serves as both a tribute to those who lived through it and a reminder of the sacrifices made to secure peace — a legacy captured in the gentle curve of a dove’s wing and the enduring message of goodwill.
