After falling out of favour as a circulating coin, the crown eventually found a new role as a commemorative coin, particularly for royal events and anniversaries. Issued in 1965, this edition was released following the passing of Britain’s legendary wartime leader Winston Churchill. His impact on the nation was acknowledged by the inclusion of his portrait – the first of an individual other than a monarch to appear on a British coin. 

Did You Know? 

• In 1945, Churchill was voted out of office but became Prime Minister a second time in 1951 
• The former Prime Minister was half-American as his mother, Lady Randolph, was born in the New York borough of Brooklyn 
• A keen painter, Churchill was made an Honorary Academician Extraordinary in 1948 by the Royal Academy of Arts 
• Churchill won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1953 for the many history books that he wrote throughout his lifetime 
• He served as a cavalry officer in the 4th Queen’s Own Hussars before entering politics