‘80th Anniversary of Victory in the Pacific ‘Courage’ Five Crown Commemorative Coin’​​​

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In an attempt to cripple America’s naval capacity, Japan launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbour on December 7, 1941 - severely damaging the Pacific Fleet and triggering a US declaration of war.  Following its allies into war with Japan, Australians fiercely fought the Japanese for control of Asia and the Pacific - the first four months of the war being some of the most devastating in Australia's wartime history. Battling tropical diseases and infections as they encountered the tough Malayan jungle, the Japanese experienced early victories – almost overwhelming the Allies – and once again, the mateship and courage of the ANZAC forces would be called upon again. After fierce battles in Malaya, exhausted Allied troops retreated to Singapore. Unfortunately the island would not be the sanctuary the soldiers were hoping for. With no relief in sight the decision was made, to surrender Singapore to the Japanese. More than 100,000 Allied troops and civilians were captured, including some 15,000 Australians.

 

The troops became prisoners of war, and began an experience more horrific than they could have imagined. At first moved to Changi prison, some were sent to other parts of the Japanese Empire. Many more were sent to work on the Burma Railway and almost certain death. The 415km-long railway route passed over rivers and across mountains. Prisoners were forced to clear the jungle, lay the railway sleepers and build more than 600 bridges – digging through the mountains by hand. Prisoners were forced to remove rock and soil to create cuttings for the trains to pass through. The most well-known of these was Hellfire Pass, named for the way the flaming torches in the cutting lit up the night as prisoners laboured around the clock. Anyone who tried to take a rest break or slowed down Would be beaten severely, or simply executed on a whim. The railway took around 16 months to construct and was finished in October 1943 – every inch of the track marked by the graves of men, who had died on their feet. During that time more than 12,000 prisoners - some 2,800 of them Australian - lost their lives.

 

To commemorate the courage that eventually forced victory in the Pacific and pay tribute to the sacrifices made, the Bradford Mint has created this exclusive, 50mm, .999 Silver, 2oz, One Crown Commemorative Coin. Struck to the highest Proof quality available and limited to a mintage of just 1,945 worldwide - in line with the year WWII ended - it features finely etched allegorical images of ATHENA, the Goddess of Victory, standing alongside the Lion of the Allies as it battles the two-headed  dragon of  Germany and Japan. The obverse carries a portrait  of His Majesty King Charles III.

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•    Commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Pacific

•    50mm .999 Silver Five Crown Commemorative Coin 

•    Authorised by Ascension Island – approved by Buckingham Palace

•    Features Certificate of Authenticity and fact-filled information about the War in the Pacific

 

Call one of our Senior Executives today on 02 9841 3324 to secure your limited-edition commemoration of the peace we won after victory over a fanatical enemy.