United Kingdom. New Proof Gold and Silver Coins Feature Historic Waterloo Medal Reverse Design

Launched in 2019, the collection features historic and exquisite from some of the United Kingdom’s most admired and sought-after coins. Following on from last year’s release of the obverse design known as ‘The allied leaders’ on the historic Waterloo Medal, the latest coin features the ‘victory’ reverse design. The dies themselves for the Waterloo Medal are spectacular works of numismatic art, both depicting a rich, allegorical tapestry of the battle itself.

The plan at the time was for the medal to be presented to the heads of state of the allied countries and the commanders involved in the battle as a majestic tribute to great men, but tragically Pistrucci’s Waterloo Medal went un-struck in his lifetime and was never received by its intended recipients. Taking 30 years to produce, once the extraordinary design was complete, it was found the medal could not be struck due to its sheer size – the technological necessities not being available at the time, and sadly, all those due to receive the medal had since died. Although the medal was never physically struck, the tools for the medal were preserved and are currently held in The Royal Mint Museum.

It wasn’t until 2015, on the occasion of the 200^th anniversary of the battle of Waterloo, that Pistrucci’s conceptual workings were finally produced by the Royal Mint utilising both modern and traditional production methods. The medal was struck in pure silver with a weight of 250 grams and a diameter of 80 millimetres. The matte finish faithfully depicted left-facing conjoined effigies of the Crown Prince & Regent (later King George IV), the Emperor Francis II of Austria, Czar Alexander I of Russia and King Frederick William II of Prussia on the obverse. Surrounding these busts is an allegorical representation of the Treaty of Peace that emerged from the battle (the Latin inscription ‘Federe Junctis’ alluding to the treaty itself). The symbolic composition includes Apollo restoring the day and Themis, Goddess of Justice, who is placed next to the sovereigns as a symbol of the importance of order. 

For 2025, the reverse side of the coins features the exquisite reverse side of the medal.  Representing the mythical ‘Battle of the Giants’ where the giants are said to have unsuccessfully challenged the Olympian Gods, Pistrucci depicted 19 figures struck down by the thunderbolts of Jupiter – 19 for each year of the Napoleonic Wars. At the centre is a pair of powerful steeds, ridden by characters bearing the features of the Duke of Wellington and General Von Blücher, both guided by the winged figure of Victory. The obverse of each coin option features the definitive effigy of HM King Charles III designed by Martin Jennings. The denomination 5 POUNDS to 500 POUNDS and year of issue 2025 also appears on the obverse as part of the legend surrounding the King’s likeness. 

Available from the 27^th January, the gold coins are presented in hardwood high-gloss cases with numbered certificates of authenticity. The silver options are housed in black matte cases and accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity. The gold and silver strikes are also available as part of four-coin and five-coin collector sets. For additional information about this very popular series, please visit the e-webshop of the Royal Mint.