1995 Gold Proof 50th Anniversary Liberation Jersey 4-Coin Set

This 1995 gold proof 50th anniversary liberation set from Jersey includes 4 gold coins of different denominations: 100 pounds, 50 pounds, 25 pounds, and 10 pounds.

Each coin is struck in 22 carat gold, with the set containing a total of 1.8553 troy ounces of the precious metal.

Only 500 of the sets were ever issued.

Fiftieth Anniversary of Liberation

The States of Jersey authorised the Royal Mint to issue a limited number of four-coin gold Proof collections to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the Channel Islands on 9th May 1945.

The occupation of the Channel Islands during the Second World War lasted five long years and totally disrupted the tranquil existence of the Islanders, imposing on them the deprivations of war. By-passed by the Allied Invasion of Normandy in June 1944 and unsure when Liberation would finally come, the beleaguered Channel Islands were slipping fast into the grim realities of starvation.

Vega

Their lifeline came on 27th December 1944 with the arrival of the Swedish vessel "Vega", chartered by the British Government to ship desperately needed help and medical supplies to Guernsey and Jersey. Despatched from Lisbon on 20th December and sailing under the international emblem of the Red Cross. the "Vega" was powerful proof that the world had not forgotten the Channel Islands in their plight. Just over four months later, on 9th May 1945, came the arrival of the Liberation forces.

The obverse designs all bear the elegant portrait of Her Majesty the Queen by Raphael Maklouf.

The reverse of the £100 coin portrays a dove in flight, carrying the olive branch as a symbol of peace, above an outline map of the island of Jersey and its Coat of Arms.

The £50 coin depicts an Islander and a member of the British Armed Forces shaking hands, representing the reunion of fellow countryman in friendship and freedom.

On the reverse of the £25 coin jubilant Islanders wave the flags of Britain and Jersey and rejoice at their liberation.

The £10 coin shows a splendid depiction of the arrival of the International Red Cross vessel "Vega" with the vital food and medical supplies, proof the the Islanders had not been forgotten.