BBC Wildlife Magazine

Major anniversar­y occasions World’s First Colour Gold Quarter Sovereign

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This year Britain celebrates one hundred years of the defence of our skies. In 1918 - one hundred years ago - the Royal Air Force was formed and since that time it has defended us from the air. Through World War Two and the Battle of Britain, the Cold War, the Falklands War, the Gulf War and right through to today, Britain’s air defence is crucial to our national security. NEW COIN FIRST BUT FEWER THAN 1 IN EVERY 5,000 UK HOUSEHOLDS CAN OWN ONE It’s not so much the anniversar­y that has collectors and gold buyers excited, as the announceme­nt of a new gold quarter sovereign coin being struck that is a world first. To mark this nationally significan­t anniversar­y, Hattons of London has independen­tly designed a commemorat­ive gold quarter sovereign coin and it features the Union Flag in full colour - never before has a quarter sovereign been struck with full colour in its design. This is why people will be determined to get their hands on one. FEATURES THE HURRICANE: HERO OF THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN The quarter sovereign coin features the front section of a Hawker Hurricane, with the Union Flag in full colour in the background. The distinctiv­e outline of the nose section, wings and cockpit of the Hawker Hurricane -a ‘hero’ of the Battle of Britain - celebrate its contributi­on to the defence of our skies. During World War Two a total of 14,583 Hurricanes were produced. It was a ‘ workhorse’ of Fighter Command: it featured a fabric covered fuselage, was quick to repair and withstood considerab­le punishment. Turn- around time - to re-arm, refuel etc. - was just nine minutes from landing to taking- off again. By comparison a Spitfire took twenty-six minutes. ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST IMPORTANT COINS It is significan­t that a gold quarter sovereign be struck for this important national anniversar­y - the sovereign series is itself one of our greatest national symbols. The gold sovereign was first struck in the modern British era in the year 1817 during the reign of King George III. The new sovereign coins (a full sovereign and half sovereign were issued from 1817, a double sovereign from 1823 and a five sovereign coin from 1887) were the basis of a coinage that lasted Britain until the end of the Gold Standard. The quarter sovereign was first struck in 2009. The sovereign was quite simply the greatest gold coin of its era. During the reign of Queen Victoria, the British sovereign was official legal tender in more than 30 nations and territorie­s around the world, and accepted in many others. That global acceptance was a result of its unparallel­ed reliabilit­y of purity and weight. Even today, just the mention of the word ‘sovereign’ evokes feelings of pride and security in the minds of most of us. STILL MINTED TODAY Sadly we no longer have sovereign coins in everyday circulatio­n. What many people don’t realise though is that they are still struck for those interested in owning gold. The sovereigns minted today are struck to the same purity they have had since 1817 - solid 22 carat gold. BREXIT UNCERTAINT­Y FOCUSES MANY ON GOLD Recent uncertaint­y caused by the Brexit process has caused many people to reconsider gold. It is a truly internatio­nal ‘currency’ and unlike other assets that must reside within a specific geographic territory, it is portable and also physical. It even has a special status within Britain: it can be bought without paying any VAT. QUARTER SOVEREIGN COIN WITH COLOUR IS WORLD’S FIRST Never before has a quarter sovereign coin featured full colour in its design. It is a fitting tribute to the hundred year anniversar­y of the defence of Britain’s skies. This first of its kind gold quarter sovereign, minted from solid 22 carat gold, is restricted to just 4,999 coins. This means that fewer than 1 in every 5,000 UK households can own one. Those interested in owning one at a £100 saving for just £99 (plus £4.99 for P&P) should contact Hattons of London whose contact details appear below. This offer is exclusivel­y available from Hattons of London. Applicatio­ns made by the closing date will receive a copy of the 76 page full colour book “The Defence of Britain’s Skies” by award winning documentar­y maker and author Stewart Binns, FREE of charge with their order. It presents the history of seven iconic British aircraft - including the Hawker Hurricane - and their impact on the defence of Britain. The coin may be returned within 60 days for a full refund. There is a strict limit of one coin per household, and this offer is limited to UK mainland households only. All applicants must be aged 18 or over. It’s worth noting too that within Britain sovereign coins have no VAT.

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