5 Pounds - Elizabeth II Berlin Airlift; Silver Proof
2008 year| Silver (.925) | 28.28 g | 38.61 mm |
| Issuer | Guernsey |
|---|---|
| Queen | Elizabeth II (1952-2022) |
| Type | Non-circulating coin |
| Year | 2008 |
| Value | 5 Pounds 5 GGP = USD 6.55 |
| Currency | Pound (decimalized, 1971-date) |
| Composition | Silver (.925) |
| Weight | 28.28 g |
| Diameter | 38.61 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Updated | 2024-10-08 |
| Numista | N#397371 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Berlin citizens looking into RAF planes landing in Berlin airport.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
HISTORY OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE
BERLIN AIRLIFT
1948-49
FIVE POUNDS
Edge
Milled
Comment
The Berlin Airlift was a consequence of the Berlin Blockade denying road and rail access to occupied Berlin. It was imposed by the Soviet Union upon the British, American and French authorities occupying areas of Berlin. The Americans contacted the RAF to discuss a joint aircraft operation and learnt that the RAF was already airlifting supplies to its sector and had calculated that supplying the western part of Berlin by air would be a practical proposition. The US airlift commenced on 26th June 1948, and the first British aircraft flew on 28th June. The Berlin Airlift continued for 321 days, although initially the Allies had considered it would only last three weeks. At the start of the operation, the RAF deployed about 150 C-47 Dakotas and 40 Avro Yorks, later joined by 10 Short Hythe Flying Boats landing on the Havel river. By mid July the RAF was flying 5,538 tons of supplies a day into Berlin the height of the Airlift, and allied aircraft was landing every minute in Berlin.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the 5 Pounds - Elizabeth II (Berlin Airlift; Silver Proof) 2008 from Guernsey coin is that it was issued to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift, a historic event that took place from 1948 to 1949, where the Allies carried out a massive airlift to supply West Berlin with food, fuel, and other essential supplies after the Soviet Union blocked the city's land and water routes. The coin's design features an image of a Douglas DC-3 aircraft, which was one of the types of planes used during the airlift, and the inscription "Berlin Airlift 1948-1949" on the reverse side.
Price
| Date | Mintage | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 25000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for 5 Pounds - Elizabeth II (Berlin Airlift; Silver Proof) 2008 coin.
