'1 Pound 1st Series 1914' Supersize Commemorative Strike

2019 marked a landmark anniversary - the Centenary of the end of the First World War!

The First World War was a turning point in world history and changed the face of the 20th century. It was a conflict unparalleled in its scale. For four long years the major European powers, later joined by America, fought in a life or death struggle that would topple the crowned heads of Europeand redraw the map of the Continent. Gold coins became rare - the Currency and Bank Notes Act 1914 was passed, giving the Treasury temporary powers for issuing banknotes to the value of £1 and 10/- (ten shillings) in the UK. These treasury notes had full legal tender status and were not convertible for gold through the Bank of England in order to prevent a run on sterling and to enable raw material purchases for armament production.