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10 Pounds - Elizabeth II Battle of the Somme
| Issuer | States of Guernsey |
|---|---|
| Year | 2016 |
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| Currency | Pound (decimalized, 1971-date) |
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| Obverse description | Right-facing effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, rendered in high relief after the fourth definitive portrait by Ian Rank-Broadley, depicting the Queen wearing the royal diadem and a pearl drop earring. The engraver's initials 'IRB' appear below the truncation of the bust. The circular legend reads 'ELIZABETH II BAILIWICK OF GUERNSEY' around the upper periphery, with the date '2016' positioned at the lower right. The mirrored proof field provides a sharp contrast to the finely detailed sculptural portrait. |
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| Mintage | 2016 - Proof |
| Additional information |
The Battle of the Somme, which opened on 1 July 1916, produced the single bloodiest day in British military history — approximately 57,470 British casualties before nightfall. Guernsey, under British Crown dependency status, had contributed men to the conflict through mainland British recruitment; the island's population was small enough that losses registered with particular weight in individual communities.
The centenary commemoration year of 2016 saw dozens of issuing authorities produce Somme-related pieces. Guernsey's five-ounce format places this squarely in the bullion-adjacent commemorative category rather than anything intended for circulation.