The Second World War inflicted severe destruction on British cities, yet St Paul’s Cathedral miraculously survived the devastation of the Blitz. Amid the inferno that consumed London, its dome appeared to "ride the sea of fire like a great ship," as described by The Times. This resilience turned the cathedral into a powerful symbol of hope for a nation under siege. Its survival during the infamous bombing raids, including the "Second Great Fire of London" on December 29, 1940, was largely due to the heroic efforts of volunteer firewatchers and firefighters who extinguished incendiary bombs that threatened to destroy it.

This enduring image of St Paul’s inspired artist Robert Elderton when designing the reverse of the commemorative £2 coin marking 60 years since the end of World War II. Elderton was struck by the iconic sight of St Paul’s illuminated by searchlights forming a "V for Victory." He remarked that the coin "more or less designed itself" after encountering this image, crediting both Sir Christopher Wren’s architecture and the wartime searchlight operators for its impact. The resulting design faithfully captures the cathedral’s grandeur and its symbolic significance, making it a fitting tribute to peace and resilience

*Image is representative of the coin you will receive 

**Struck for general circulation and subsequently acquired by The Royal Mint from the secondary market.