The Royal Mint's commemorative coin pays tribute to the First World War's heroes of the skies

This Royal Mint £2 coin is the only official UK coin that pays tribute to the aviators of the First World War. It has the endorsement of the Imperial War Museums.

The coin is part of the mint's series commemorating the First World War "from outbreak to armistice".

The £2 Coin's Design

The design of this Royal Mint issue draws inspiration from blueprints and cartography. WWI pilots were depended upon to create reliable maps of the constantly changing landscapes.

The coin features a pilot and his observer flying a Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 plane over the battle of Arras as they perform a reconnaissance mission. Whilst the plane is rendered in realistic detail, the landscape below is a stylised, map-like style.

The writing around the coin's obverse reads "1914-1918 The War In The Air". Lettering around the edge remembers those who sacrificed their lives with the words "The Sky Rained Heroes".

The inner part of is made of cupro-nickel, the outer ring is nickel-brass. The 12g coin has a diameter of 2.8cm and is of Brilliant Uncirculated quality.

The Royal Air Force

The RAF began life as the Royal Air Corps, and is an integral part of British warefare. Battling enemy planes in the skies above the trenches, embarking upon vital reconnaissance missions, or delivering supplies -  the work of the heroes in the skies was essential.

As technology developed, air combat became an exciting form of warfare in the eyes of the press and the public. The exploits of fighter pilots, or ‘aces’, were particularly romanticised, portrayed as noble ‘gentlemen duellists’ in the skies above the horror of the trenches.