The Battle of Britain $5 commemorative coin was issued by the Republic of the Marshall Islands in 1990 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. The cupronickel coin is legal tender of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, which was one of the key battlegrounds in the Allie’s march across the Pacific in World War ll.

The Battle of Britain

raids on July 10, 1940, the pivotal Battle of Britain was on. Its outcome would influence the entire course of the war and the future of the Free World. Seemingly endless waves of high-flying Messerschmitt 109 fighters and powerful Heinkel 111 bombers droned towards English targets, met by the staunchly courageous fighter pilots of the Royal Air Force. Few in number, and hampered by inexperience at the beginning, the RAF quickly developed into one of the world's great aerial commands. In desperate dogfights over England's bomb-scarred landscape, its deadly Spitfires and Hurricanes downed ever larger numbers of German planes, forcing Nazi air commander Herman Göring to jump from strategy to strategy - then finally to give up. On June 22, 1941, when Hitler hurled his massed panzers against the Soviet Union, the Battle of Britain ended with gallant England unbowed. It was with her valiant fighter pilots in mind that British Prime Minister Winston Churchill made his famous speech - "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few."

The Battle of Britain $5 Commemorative Coin

Issued by the Republic of the Marshall Islands - 1990

Story of the Battle of Britain Coin

This cupro-nickel coin is legal tender of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, which was one of the key battlegrounds in the Allies' march across the Pacific during World War II. The coin symbolizes the courage of the gallant air crews of the Royal Air Force and the esteem their legend continues to inspire throughout the world. The obverse of the coin, designed by David K. Stone, depicts a stalwart RAF pilot with his swift Spitfire - the deadly fighter plane which exemplifies, to this day, Britain's fierce determination in defense of freedom. On the reverse of the coin is the national seal of the Marshall Islands which appears on all its coinage. The motto, "Jepilpilin Ke Ejukaan," means

"Accomplishment Through Joint Effort," and the design centers on the nation's symbol, the Spirit Bird of Peace. Above the Bird, the 24-point Sunstar with a diagonal line on either side represents the nation's flag and two chains of islands. Other images show aspects of the islanders livelihood. The Marshall Islands, granted complete independence by the U.S. in 1986, is proud of its role in the World War II defense of freedom.