WWI cpom
5
Added to son's collection
coin fan
Pembroke, Ontario
1 oz. Pure Silver Selectively Gold-Plated Coin – First World War Battlefront Series: The Somme Offensive (2016)
Selective gold plating recreates the winged figure of "Victory" from the Victory Medal! Order today!
"We went in about 40 strong to a platoon, 160 to a company, and if you brought out 40 or 50 men out of a company of 160, you did well... " - Canadian officer C. G. BarnsIt was meant to be the Allies' "Big Push" of 1916, one that would break the stalemate along the Western Front; instead, four months of battles transformed the chalky soil of France's Somme river valley into the site of one of history's costliest battles. During the fierce fighting that defined the Somme Offensive, Canada's soldiers distinguished themselves with extraordinary valour, tenacity and sacrifice as they were sent "over the top." Rushing forward from the trenches into the openness of no man's land, these brave combatants had to overcome deep barbed wire defences and a barrage of artillery fire in their attempts to reach an enemy that was deeply entrenched throughout the countryside. Gains made in places such as Courcelette furthered the reputation of our soldiers as a formidable fighting force—but it all came at a tragic cost, with more than 24,000 Canadian casualties suffered during this chapter of the First World War.
A poignant addition to your military-themed coin display. Order yours today!
Special features:
- COMMEMORATES CANADA'S ROLE IN KEY BATTLES OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR! The third coin in the Royal Canadian Mint's First World War: Battlefront series, which commemorates Canada's role in key battles of the First World War and depicts its soldiers in action on the battlefields of Europe.
- FEATURES THE WINGED FIGURE FROM THE VICTORY MEDAL IN GOLD PLATING! A fine silver with selective gold plating that recreates the winged figure of "Victory" from the Victory Medal, which was awarded in 1919 to all ranks of the Allied forces who served in the First World War.
- EFFIGY OF KING GEORGE V! Your coin highlights the reigning monarch during the First World War with the effigy of King George V by sir E. B. MacKennal.
- A poignant and heartfelt tribute to the soldiers of the Canadian Corps for their bravery and sacrifice during this important battle of the First World War.
- BEAUTIFUL FINISHING TECHNIQUES! Attention to historical accuracy, detailed engraving and beautiful finishing techniques combine to create a stunning coin that showcases the renowned artistry and skilful craftsmanship of the Royal Canadian Mint.
- UNIQUE ARTISTIC DESIGN! A unique artistic design that pulls you into the scene to recreate a first-person perspective as the soldiers push forward toward enemy lines.
- 99.99% PURE SILVER COIN! Your coin is GST/HST exempt!
Design:
Designed by Canadian artist Glen Loates, your coin recreates a soldier's viewpoint in battle during the Somme Offensive of 1916. With bayonets fixed on their rifles, a Canadian battalion braves a constant barrage of artillery fire after going "over the top" of the trenches, as the soldiers valiantly charge across the chalky terrain towards enemy lines. To the left, a sergeant turns to face the viewer as he shouts encouragement and urges his men forward – including the viewer, who is pulled into the scene to gain a sense of the overwhelming uncertainty and danger that hung over these courageous soldiers who valiantly pressed on. Above, a ghostly image of a young Canadian soldier looks down upon the scene and serves as a moving reminder of the heavy casualties suffered in the Somme Offensive. In the centre, selective gold plating showcases the winged figure of "Victory," as it appeared on the Victory Medal that was awarded to the allied soldiers of the First World War. Adding to the historical accuracy of the coin, the obverse highlights the reigning monarch during the First World War with the effigy of King George V by sir E. B. MacKennal.
Did you know…
- The Somme was the site of three separate operations during the First World War: the Somme Offensive of 1916, and two others in the spring of 1918 and in August 1918.
- It was originally planned as one of three simultaneous offensives launched by the Allies in 1916: one in the East that would be mounted by the Russians, another on the Italian Front, and this joint British-French effort on the Western Front. But heavy fighting at Verdun had put a strain on French troops, so the Somme Offensive became a largely British-led effort to break through enemy lines and relieve some of the pressure on the French.
- It marked the first time an aerial campaign was specifically assigned to support a ground offensive, as the British Royal Flying Corps (RFC) assumed the task of aerial reconnaissance and engaged the German Army Air Service (GAAS) to establish air superiority over the Somme.
- During the war, Newfoundland was not yet a part of Canada but its 1st Newfoundland Regiment took part in the opening battle of the offensive, moving out of their trenches at 9:15 a.m. on
July 1, 1916; tragically, all but 68 of its 801 men would become casualties in the crossfire within the first half hour. - Leading up to their September 15 push to Courcelette, the Canadian Corps suffered
2,600 casualties at the Somme before they had even participated in their first major battle of the offensive. - Seven Mark 1 armoured land cruisers took part in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette alongside the Canadians; these first tanks proved to be somewhat unreliable and slow, but they helped cut through the barbed wire and silenced some enemy firepower, while striking fear in the enemy upon first sight.
- By the end of the offensive, the Allies had gained only 13 kilometres along the 35-kilometre front at a cost of nearly 650,000 casualties, while Germans suffered at least 435,000 casualties in what they referred to as das Blutbad—"the bloodbath."
Packaging:
Your coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded maroon clamshell with a graphic beauty box.
Order your coin today!
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Reviews
Lovely
5
As a reminderthat my two Great Uncles fought here, one was killed ð
Gordo
Oakville
A beautiful addition to an amazing series
5
I have purchased all the coins in the First World War Battlefront series so far and am looking forward to the arrival of the Vimy Ridge coin. This is a lovely series, beautiful coins that have so much to remind Canadian about the valour of our soldiers in the Great War.
AB buyer
Calgary, AB
A must for have for your collection
5
Great series for the military collectors
Ade the collector
Ont.
Remembrance of the Brave
5
This is the perfect coin to honour my grandfather's memory as he had been wounded at the Battle of the Somme in September 1916.
Poppy
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
The coin was exactly what I expected from the mint.
5
I am in the military and plan to display the entire collection with my other military collectibles.
Walt
Chesterville, ON
WW! Battle - The Somme
4
Good addition to WWI collection. Nice detail
bigjef
St. Thomas, ON
Coins of the World Wars
5
This is a great addition to my Canadian World War series.
des
Berwick, Nova Scotia, Canada
Spectacular!
5
A proud addition to my WW1 coin display case.
cw
Seattle, WA
A piece of History
5
Grandfather Served at the Somme and wished to project history into my children
Q
San Diego, California
147828en
4.8
11
100.0
- How many coins in this series ?
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me
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There are 8 coins in total. The complete collection is available here as a subscription: http://www.mint.ca/store/coins/1-oz.-fine-silver-selectively-goldplated-8coin-subscription-first-world-war-battlefront-mintage-10000-prod2310038?rcmiid=link|search|searchresults|1_oz_Fine_Silver_Selectively_Gold-Plated_8-Coin_Subscription_-_First_World_War_Battlefront_Mintage_10000&
Anonymous
The complete collection has 8 coins: http://www.mint.ca/store/coins/1-oz.-fine-silver-selectively-goldplated-8coin-subscription-first-world-war-battlefront-mintage-10000-prod2310038?rcmiid=link|search|searchresults|1_oz_Fine_Silver_Selectively_Gold-Plated_8-Coin_Subscription_-_First_World_War_Battlefront_Mintage_10000&
Anonymous
