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Gibraltar
Celebrate the Centenary of Powered Flight Coin
Tri-Metal Coin
Since 17th December 1903 when Orville and
Wilbur Wright made history by undertaking the first powered flight,
amazing technological advances have been made and air travel has never
been easier. To commemorate this Century of Flight, the Gibraltar
Government has approved the release of an outstanding Tri-Metal coin which
features the military history of aviation over the last 100 years and
wherever possible depicts aircraft that have seen service in Gibraltar.
This superb Tri-Metal crown comprises three rings: one of platinum, one
of gold and one of silver with each metal showing aircraft of a particular
time in aviation history.
The outer ring, which is silver, bears aircraft of the
World War I period: the Fokker D.VII, which was widely regarded as the
best German aircraft of the war; the Sopwith Camel, which was a highly maneuverable
biplane which accounted for more aerial victories that any
other allied aircraft; the Albatross D.III which was very agile but
heavily armed; and the Sopwith Triplane which was used in combat by the
Royal Naval Air Service.
The middle ring, which is gold, features the aircraft
of the World War II period: the Spitfire, which was noted for its sleek
design and unique, thin oval wings; the Sunderland, which had a deep hull
and carried a two-gun turret at the front and a four-gun turret in the
tail; the Blenheim which was a six-sweater, twin-engine monoplane capable
of 240mph; and the Liberator which was a multipurpose aircraft which was
used as a low-level bomber as well as for transportation.
The centre ring, which is made of platinum, brings us
to the present day and illustrates the Stealth Bomber which is capable of
delivery of both conventional and nuclear munitions and is able to
penetrate the enemy’s most sophisticated defenses.
This magnificent coin is
available in cupro nickel as well as the tri-metal with the tri-metal
version being struck four times to produce a lustrous finish with each
coin detailed to perfection. The obverse of the coin bears a fine effigy
of Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS FSNAD.
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