Heads up on 2019 commemorative coins

THE 75th anniversary of the D-Day Landings and the 200th year since the birth of Queen Victoria will be marked with special commemorative coins from The Royal Mint.

Born in May 1819, the former monarch will appear on a rare £5 denomination coin, far right, alongside a telephone, a penny farthing bicycle and other icons from her six-decade-long reign. The £5 coins are usually reserved for royal occasions – the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s wedding in May last year was the last. The Allied Invasion of Normandy in June 6, 1944 – the largest seaborne assault in history – will be marked with a £2 coin, left. Sherlock Holmes’ silhouette, complete with pipe and deerstalker hat, will appear on a 50p piece, celebrating the 160th anniversary of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s birth. His famous fictional detective is surrounded by titles of stories in which he appears, including The Hound Of The Baskervilles and The Sign Of Four. And Diarist Samuel Pepys will be honoured, 350 years after his last entry, with a £2 coin, left inset, to commemorate his description of events, such as the Great Fire of London and the Plague.

Wedgwood pottery’s 260th anniversary will also be marked with a £2 coin.

Nicola Howell, Royal

Mint director of consumer business, said: “Our

2019 designs feature a range of momentous people, events and creations that have had an enduring role in British life and culture.”

The coins can be bought in special limited-edition presentation sets.