The Royal Mint has announced it will be launching commemorative coins to mark 80 years since VE Day.

VE Day, Victory in Europe Day, celebrates the end of World War II on 8 May each year. The country is set to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE day with street parties as four days of concerts, services and processions were announced - and now, these new coins.

The Royal Mint will be launching commemorative coins to mark 80 years since VE Day.

VE Day, Victory in Europe Day, celebrates the end of World War II on 8 May each year. The country is set to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE day with street parties as four days of concerts, services and processions were announced - and now, these new coins.

The VE Day 50p coin design features a dove of peace and the coins will be available to buy from the Mint’s website from 9am on Thursday, May 1. The design originally appeared on a 1995 £2, marking 50 years since the end of the Second World War.

These new coins, with the inscription “In peace goodwill”, will be available in a range of finishes including silver and gold. On May 8, 2025, the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the Mint will also be striking a special gold edition of the coin.

To celebrate the launch of the new coins, the Royal Mint invited guests from the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans to its premises. Veterans Ron Horsey, aged 98, and Richard Pelzer, 101, who are both from Swansea and served with the Royal Engineers, had a behind-the-scenes tour of the manufacturing site in South Wales and were invited to take part in coin striking.

Mr Horsey said: “I’m incredibly proud to have been invited to the Royal Mint to strike this coin. VE Day holds such meaning for me and many others, and to be able to strike this design representing peace on to a coin all these years later is truly moving.

“I hope this coin reminds people of the freedom we enjoy today and the cost at which it came.”

Vice president of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans Dick Goodwin described the visit as “a wonderful experience”.

Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said: “The VE Day coin pays tribute to the courage, sacrifice and resilience of the generation who secured peace in Europe in May 1945 and it was fitting to welcome Ron and Richard to site to strike one of the first coins.”

The Royal Mint often marks significant events in history, such as a recent red arrows 50p, a Stories of the Second World War 50p and an 80th Anniversary of D-Day 50p.

Prices for the new 50p coin will start at £14.50 for a brilliant uncirculated version to £1,725 for a gold coin struck on May 8. A 10-coin 80th anniversary of VE Day set will also be available for £1,640.