Great Engravers Waterloo Medal Victory 2 Oz UK silver proof Coin 2025

Great Engravers Waterloo Victory 2 Oz UK silver Coin 2025

This 2025 Waterloo Medal Victory 2 oz Silver Coin is the second release in a two-coin Waterloo commemorative series by The Royal Mint. Issued as part of the exciting Great Engravers collection, it honours Benedetto Pistrucci's legendary medal design, which took 30 years to produce between 1819 and 1849.

For this release the reverse of the original Waterloo Medal has been reproduced by The Royal Mint using modern techniques to complete the modern reinterpretation. In addition, this 2025 release marks 210 years since the Battle of Waterloo, remembering those who fought bravely.

• Fineness: 999 fine silver
• Finish: Proof
• Silver Content: 2 troy ounces of silver
• Tax Benefit: Exempt from Capital Gains Tax
• Presentation: Royal Mint box & certificate of authenticity
• Weight: 62.86g
• Diameter: 40mm
• mintage: 2950

Battle of the Waterloo

The Battle of Waterloo, fought on 18 June 1815, was a decisive conflict that ended the Napoleonic Wars. Taking place near Waterloo in present-day Belgium, the battle saw Napoleon Bonaparte's French forces clash with a coalition led by the Duke of Wellington and Prussian General Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher.

After a gruelling day of combat, the coalition forces succeeded in defeating the French, leading to Napoleon's final downfall and exile. This victory not only ended Napoleon's rule but also reshaped the political landscape of Europe.

Waterloo Medal (1819-1849)

In 1819, four years after the Battle of Waterloo, Italian sculptor Benedetto Pistrucci began working on a Waterloo Medal on behalf of the British government, intended to be presented to allied sovereigns, their ministers and generals.

However, due to several reasons, including his conflicting opinions with the Royal Mint regarding the medal and his own health issues, the medal's completion was delayed until 1849. Although the original medal was never struck, it took three decades to complete. The medal now can be seen only at The Royal Mint Museum which we visited!

The design of the medal has been praised by numismatists and is regarded as one of the greatest numismatic achievements, cementing Pistrucci's reputation as a great engraver.