On 21st October 1805, Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson led the Royal Navy into one of the most pivotal battles in British history—the Battle of Trafalgar. Facing the combined fleets of France and Spain, Nelson’s forces secured an overwhelming victory, sinking or capturing 22 enemy ships without losing a single British vessel. This decisive win not only crushed Napoleon’s ambitions of invading Britain but also cemented British naval supremacy for over a century.
To commemorate the bicentenary of Trafalgar, The Royal Mint issued a £5 crown in 2005, celebrating both the battle itself and the heroic figure of Horatio Nelson.
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Reverse – HMS Victory Leads the Charge
Designed by Clive Duncan, the reverse of this coin features an imposing depiction of two legendary Royal Navy warships:
- HMS Victory – Nelson’s flagship, leading the British fleet into battle.
- HMS Temeraire – Known as The Fighting Temeraire, this ship played a vital role in the British victory.
What makes this design particularly striking is the illusion of movement,the ships appear to be cutting through choppy waters, with waves spilling over the rim of the coin. Below the design sits the word "TRAFALGAR", flanked by the anniversary years "1805" and "2005."
Obverse – A Classic Rank-Broadley Portrait
The obverse features Ian Rank-Broadley’s effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by the usual inscription:
"ELIZABETH · II D · G · REG · F · D"
"FIVE POUNDS" below the portrait
Edge Inscription; Nelson’s Iconic Words
The edge of the coin carries Nelson’s famous message to his fleet just before the battle began:
“ENGLAND EXPECTS THAT EVERY MAN WILL DO HIS DUTY”
These words, signaled from HMS Victory, inspired Nelson’s sailors to fight with unmatched bravery and remain one of the most well-known military commands in British history.
- Metal: .925 Sterling Silver
- Weight: 28.28 grams
- Diameter: 38.61mm
- Edge Inscription: "ENGLAND EXPECTS THAT EVERY MAN WILL DO HIS DUTY"
- Mintage: Limited to 30,000 pieces
The Proof Silver version of this coin was struck with hand-prepared dies and multiple strikes, ensuring an exceptional level of detail and a mirror-like finish.
Over 200 years later, HMS Victory remains in service, docked at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard as the flagship of the Royal Navy’s Commander-in-Chief. Visitors can step aboard the very ship that led Britain to victory, making this coin a particularly special piece for collectors and history enthusiasts alike.
The 2005 Battle of Trafalgar £5 coin isn’t just a tribute to an iconic victory—it’s a celebration of Britain’s naval legacy. With its stunning maritime design, historical significance, and limited mintage, it remains a must-have for collectors of British commemoratives and military-themed coins.
For anyone with an appreciation of history, the Trafalgar £5 Crown is a fitting tribute to Nelson’s enduring legacy and the power of the Royal Navy.
And in dramatic fashion the celebrated Admiral Nelson dies a hero's death.
!BBh
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