France. 80th Anniversary of VE-Day Commemorated with Gold and Silver Proof Coins

The collector coins in this memorable series are a continuance to the collection celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings launched in 2024. In 2025, we reach the end of the epic story of the 4 soldiers featured, each belonging to one of the 4 great Allied nations. After months of landing in Normandy, they are now found parts of liberated Europe and Asia, celebrating the return of peace with one triumphal and united voice.

Eleven months after landing on the Normandy beaches, the Allied forces, scattered across the European continent, and on the 8th May the world celebrated the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany. Historic in every way, ‘VE Day’ or, Victory in Europe Day symbolised the end of nearly six years of conflict and the return of peace for millions of Europeans. The four coins in this collection follow the four soldiers from the four major Allied nations that were featured during the 80th anniversary collection of the D-Day landings in 2024. We follow Léon, the French soldier in the Netherlands, James, the American soldier in Czechoslovakia, Richard, the British soldier in Singapore, and Fred, the Canadian soldier in Germany.

France - Léon, a Second-Maître - Petty Officer of the Kieffer Commando was one of the 177 French soldiers who took part in the Normandy landings. After the landings, he fought in the Battle of Normandy until August 27, 1944, when No. 4 Commando was placed on standby in Great Britain. In November, he returned to the front in the Netherlands with his comrades and participated in the Walcheren landings and the capture of Flushing as part of Operation Infatuate. His unit also took part in several other operations, including raids on Shouwen Island. On May 8, 1945, Léon and No. 4 Commando were still in the Netherlands experiencing the end of the war away from direct battle. Above the primary design and along the rim is the text PAYS-BAS (Netherlands) with the year 2025. €200 & €50 Gold, €10 silver and €1/4 Base metal.

United States - James, an American officer in the 1st Infantry Division, landed on Omaha Beach. Following the landings, his unit continued in the Battle of Normandy with the Avranches breakthrough - Operation Cobra and then participated in the closing of the Falaise Pocket. James’ unit then fought at Mons and Liège in Belgium before crossing the Siegfried Line and attacking Aix-la-Chapelle. They then took part in the Battle of the Bulge before crossing back into Germany. In April 1945, the unit entered Czechoslovakia and James spent his last weeks of combat there. Above the primary design and along the rim is the text TCHECOSLOVAQUIE (Czechoslovakia) with the year 2025 placed on the lower right rim. €10 Silver and €1/4 Base metal.

Great Britain - Richard, private of the 6th Airborne, landed on the night of June 6th, 1944. After the Battle of Normandy, which culminated in the liberation of Calvados, his division was put on leave in Great Britain. In December 1944, the unit was rushed to Belgium to take part in the Battle of the Bulge and then crossed the Rhine as part of Operation Varsity. At the end of April, Richard and his unit joined up with Soviet troops near Wismar, but their involvement did not end there, since part of the 6th Airborne was sent to the Far East to take part in the fighting against the Japanese. The war came to a final end on September 2nd, 1945 with Richard’s unit witnessing the disarmament of the Japanese in Malaya and Singapore. Above the primary design and along the rim is the text SINGAPOUR with the year 2025. €50 Gold, €10 Silver and €1/4 Base metal.

Canada - Fred, a lieutenant in the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, was part of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division that landed on Sword Beach. His unit continued to the Battle of Normandy, fighting at Caen and Falaise. The division then moved towards the Seine and liberated Rouen on August 30, 1944. It continued its journey into France, liberating Boulogne-sur-Mer and Calais. Fred and his unit were then sent to Belgium and the Netherlands where it took part in the Battle of the Scheldt and the Breskens Pocket, allowing the port of Antwerp to be reopened. Fred ended the war in Germany after preparing the assault on the city of Aurich. Above the primary design and along the rim is the text 2025 and ALLEMAGNE (Germany). €10 Silver and €1/4 Base metal.

The design of the reverse side is shared on each coin and highlights all the Allied countries that officially participated in the Normandy landings. A collection of flags Clockwise - Free France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Australia, United States, Norway, United Kingdom, Czechoslovakia, Canada and Belgium surround the face value of 200 EURO or 50 EURO (gold) 10 EURO (silver) or 1/4 EURO (base) and the initials RF. The stars under the flags are also a tribute to the ‘Freedom Road’ kilometre markers denoting the route followed by the 3rd American Army for the liberation of France to Luxembourg.

Each base metal BU coin is enclosed in a card format presentation which includes the printed artwork featured on the coin. The gold and silver proof coins are encapsulated and presented in a custom case accompanied with a numbered certificate of authenticity. For additional information, please visit the e-webshop of the Monnaie de Paris.