2016 PNC - Joint Issue - The Great War: Arrival On The Western Front

2016 £2 PNC - The Great War: Arrival On The Western Front - Full Details

This limited-edition 2016 Joint Issue Coin and Stamp Cover (PNC), a collaboration between the Royal Mint and Australia Post, marks the Centenary of World War I, focusing on the Australian forces' shift to the Western Front in 1916.

PNC Specifications

• Mintage: Strictly limited to 2,500 covers.
• Postmark: 28 JUNE 2016, FRENCHES FOREST NSW 2086.
• Authentication: Features Australia Post's Seal of Authenticity.
• Condition Note: A small tear to the reverse of the cover is present (as shown).

The Coin

The cover contains an Uncirculated 2016 £2 Legal Tender Commemorative Coin from the United Kingdom.

• Issuer: Royal Mint.
• Theme: The First World War 1914-1918 (Focusing on 1916).
• Denomination: Two Pounds (£2).
• Quality: Brilliant Uncirculated.
• Composition: Bi-metallic (Cupro-nickel inner, Nickel-brass outer).
• Designers:
  • Obverse: Jody Clark (Effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II).
  • Reverse: Tim Sharp (Specific design related to the Great War series).

The Stamps

The PNC features two commemorative stamps from the respective national postal services:

• United Kingdom Stamp: One UK 1st Class Stamp from 'The Great War' series, typically featuring a lone red poppy in a field.
• Australian Stamp: One $1 Australian Commemorative Stamp with the theme 'Arrival on the Western Front'.

This unique collector's item commemorates the commitment and sacrifice of Australian troops as they entered the heavy fighting on the Western Front.

The Coin

The cover incorporates an uncirculated 2 pound (£2) coin from Great Britain:

• Composition: Struck on a bi-metal planchet, featuring a copper-nickel inner core and a nickel-brass outer ring.
• Obverse: Features the renowned Ian Rank-Broadley Effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second.
• Reverse: Details a powerful scene of a Dreadnought battleship at sea with a seaplane to the left and birds to the right, complemented by a legend above and the date below.
• Edge Inscription: The milled edge bears the incuse lettering: THE SURE SHIELD OF BRITAIN.

The Stamps and Design

This official cover features two commemorative stamps:

• Australian Stamp: 1 x 70c Australian Stamp. The stamp photograph features the Remembrance memorial at Cape Helles.
• United Kingdom Stamp: 1 x £1.52 UK Stamp, featuring the Hat-Trick design from Royal Mail Group.
• Cover Design: Designed by John White from the Australia Post Design Studio.

Historical Significance

The inside cover is richly detailed, featuring information and illustrations on the major chapters of the campaign:

• The Landing
• The Turkish Counter-Attack
• The British Offensive
• The Evacuation

Secure this significant piece of Australian and British heritage before it sells out.