Pobjoy Mint is delighted to announce the issue of two stunning new uncirculated cupro nickel collector's coins commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo. Issued on behalf of the Isle of Man Government the coins are also available in a collectable coin set as part of the IOM series to commemorate this anniversary. The first coin featured here shows a portrait of the Duke of Wellington with the British Infantry Square in the background. The second coin features a portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte with the Charge of the Hussars shown in the background.  The obverse of the coin bears an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, Lord of Mann, by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS.

The Battle of Waterloo was fought as part of the Napoleonic Wars and it was at Waterloo (a village south of Brussels in Belgium) that Napoleon Bonaparte’s French soldiers met the armies of Britain and Prussia. The battle took place on 18th June 1815 and this year sees the Bicentenary of this famous Battle.

The Battle of Waterloo began with Napoleon’s 72,000 men facing the Duke of Wellington’s army of 68,000 men.  Wellington had British, Dutch, Belgian and German soldiers on his side, but was expecting even more when the 45,000 Prussian soldiers arrived.  Eventually the Prussians began to arrive and Napoleon was forced to send groups of his soldiers to try and stop the Prussians from being able to join up with Wellington’s forces.  By early evening it was apparent that the French were losing so instead of defending their position, Wellington ordered his soldiers to attack and the French army began to run away.  Four days after this famous Battle, Napoleon gave up power and was exiled to the island of St Helena.

Available in Cupro Nickel and Proof Sterling Silver, the coins are struck to the highest quality with the precious metal versions being produced with a stunning ‘proof’ finish.  The design on each commemorative coin is in relief with a glorious mirror-finish background.