1 Crown - Elizabeth II 1994

Weight

28.28 g

Diameter

38.6 mm

Thickness

NA

Material

Silver (.925)

Shape

Round

Edge Type

Reeded

Technique

Milled

Front design

Right facing uncouped bust of Queen Elizabeth II, wearing the George IV State Diadem, legend and date around

Back design

Portrait of Admiral Somerville with ship and Gibraltar in background

Year of Minting

1994

Queen

Elizabeth II (1952-2022)

Mint location

(PM) Pobjoy Mint , Surrey, United Kingdom (1965-2023)

Mint mark

NA

Orientation

Medal alignment ↑↑

Inscriptions

Obverse: ELIZABETH II GIBRALTAR · 1994 RDM PM Reverse: WORLD WAR II ADMIRAL SOMMERVILLE 1 CROWN

Context

A veteran of the Dardanelles, Sir James Somerville was a fine surface commander despite having been invalided out in 1939. He volunteered at Dunkirk and returned on the last ship to leave Calais. Recalled to active service as Commander of Force 'H' based on Gibraltar, his first duty was described by Churchill as 'one of the most disagreeable and difficult tasks a British Admiral has ever been faced with the bombardment of the French squadron at Mers-el-Kabir on 3rd July 1940, when Admiral Gensoul failed to guarantee immobilisation. Under Sir James, Force 'H' valiantly protected convoys to Malta, covered Operation Tiger taking thanks to Wavell in North Africa and disabled the Bismark with the Ark Royal's torpedo bombers. When Japan entered the war he was given command of the Eastern Fleet, making successful air raids on Sumatra and Java and attacking Diego Suarez on Madagascar. He was made Admiral of the Fleet in 1945.

Rarity

Ultra rare

Coin type

Non-circulating

In circulation

Yes

Demonetized

No

Marketplace listings

0