2004 Whole Coin Set Channel Islands Gold D-Day - 4 Coins

In 2004, the Channel Islands issued a set of three gold proof £5 crowns and a sovereign to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of D-Day in 1944.

MS Belfast
The HMS Belfast played a significant part in the D-Day battle and to commemorate these throughout the Second World War she was saved for the nation. She now resides opposite the Tower of London at Morgan's Lane and visitors are able to wander her decks, view such features as the gun turrets and boiler room, and also visit the crew's accommodation to get a feel for what it was like for all who sailed in her.

Airborne Landings
In the darkness of the early hours of the morning of 6 June 1944, the first Allied troops flew in and on the beaches of Normandy. The plan was to arrive before the main landings achieve maximum surprise. The airborne landings were a great success, making a huge impact and paved the way for the rest of the troops arriving in their wake.

Sword Beach
Sword Beach was the code name for the beach, which was the furthest to the left of all those chosen for the Normandy invasion. The plan for Sword Beach was to push across the land securing the beach and to link up with the airborne troops who had landed the night before. At 13.00 hours the linked up with ttroops at the bridges over the OrneWaterways and achieved their most important objective. The special Proof coins for the Channel Islands of Alderney, Jersey and Guernsey are struck in 22carat gold and celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of D-Day. The reverse of each gold coins in this Channel Islands set has been designed by Michael Guilfoyle and every coin captures a different aspect of D-Day - land, sea and air. Guernsey's depicts a soldier on Sword Beach. Alderney's displays the HMS Belfast, whilst Jersey's depicts an aircraft of the airborne landings. The designs of the Channel Islands coins also feature a sculpted poppy. lan Rank-Broadley's portrait of the Queen graces the obverse of the Guernsey and Jersey coins, while Alderney's bears the earlier one by Raphael Maklouf.