A special three-coin set from the Royal Dutch Mint combines a coin from the Netherlands with coins from Canada and the United Kingdom.

The Europe Remembers set marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II and contains three silver Proof coins.

The Netherlands marks May 5 as Liberation Day, and in other countries May 8 is remembered as Victory in Europe Day, since that is when Germany formally capitulated.

The set contains a €5 coin from the Netherlands, a $1 coin from Canada and a £1 piece from the United Kingdom, the latter coin available only in this set (the other two are also sold individually by their respective issuers).

In total, 2,000 sets are available.

The Dutch design

The Proof .925 fine silver €5 coin weighs 15.5 grams and measures 33 millimeters in diameter.

It was designed by Dutch artist Marijke van Warmerdam. Both the number “75” on the reverse and the portrait of the king on the obverse are constructed from a jaunty ribbon, to depict the festive nature of Liberation Day.

The single coin has a mintage of 6,500 pieces, but the remaining quantity is sold out.

Canada’s contribution

Canada’s coin is inspired by the 1945 Victory 5-cent coin, so a large “V” for Victory dominates the reverse design by artist Pandora Young.

The scene reveals a jubilant crowd on May 8, 1945, when Canadians poured into streets and public places to celebrate V-E Day.

The spontaneous celebration gradually fades behind the “V” to become a scene of remembrance, while three foreground silhouettes represent the different branches (navy, army and air force) of the Canadian and British Armed Forces in which Canadians and Newfoundlanders served.

The obverse features the effigy of King George VI by T.H. Paget and a Victory privy mark.

The Proof .9999 fine silver dollar weighs 23.17 grams and measures 36.07 millimeters in diameter. It has a mintage limit of 25,000 pieces.

Britain’s bold look

The design on the £1 coin designed by Dominique Evans was inspired by her grandmother.

She told Evans lively stories about her time as a young girl during the war. At the heart of the coin, Evans placed celebrating people, backed by rays that echo the anti-aircraft searchlights but here become rays of hope.

The obverse of the coin was designed by Jody Clark and depicts the Queen Elizabeth II effigy.

The .999 fine silver coin weighs 15.71 grams and measures 27 millimeters in diameter.

Packaging, ordering details

The set is packaged in an oak box, which is accompanied by a glass panel made in exclusive collaboration with Royal Leerdam Crystal.

The glass commemorative panel attached to the wooden base carries a dove image marking 75 years of freedom

The sets retail for €299 each and are available for delivery beginning in July.

For more details, or to order the set, visit a special page at the Royal Dutch Mint website, www.royaldutchmint.com/europeremembers.

Connect with Coin World:  
Sign up for our free eNewsletter
Access our Dealer Directory  
Like us on Facebook  
Follow us on Twitter