2019-06-18 Tue

Waterloo Day the date of the Battle of Waterloo, on18th June 1815. It is remembered and celebrated each year by certain regiments of the British Army.

The Battle of Waterloo was the decisive battle which turned the tide of European domination from one single entity or authority, that of the French Emperor Napoleon. After the Revolution, Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of the French people. Napoleon, as Emperor dominated European affairs for almost two decades while leading France against a series of coalitions against continuing domination and aggression by French forces.

In March 1815, many states that had opposed him formed the Seventh Coalition and began to mobilize armies. Napoleon chose to attack them separately in the hope of destroying them before they could join in a coordinated invasion. 18 June 1815 near Waterloo in Belgium the French Forces came face to face with the British Army. The battle marked the defeat of Napoleon and the end of the Napoleonic Wars.

The Royal Mint, in the year 2015, issued a set of three coins to mark the two hundredth anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo. The 5 Pounds coins, struck in cupro-nickel, silver and gold are designed by artist David Lawrence of the Royal Mint. The obverse includes the fifth effigy of HM Queen Elizabeth II, created by Royal Mint engraver Jody Clark and introduced earlier this year.

The reverse of the coins features the moment of the handshake between a triumphant Duke of Wellington and General Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher, head of the Prussian. Both men are seen on horseback along with the remnants of the battle in the background. The incused text “THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO” is placed along the upper edge.

Image Courtesy: http://news.coinupdate.com