Gulf War issued sovereigns to British armed forces.

[MickB]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Behind-Enemy-Lines-Gulf-War-Collection-Full-Sovereign/273964267207?hash=item3fc98af6c7:g:rYUAAOSwL0tdUWJg

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/mod-makes-a-mint-from-the-sale-of-gulf-war-gold-coins-1349915.html

I've just been reading about these sovereigns that were issued to RAF pilots & special forces personnel during the 1st. Gulf war. These were to be used to barter their way out of trouble and the vast majority were returned. The Mod decided not to sell them back to the bank of England but made presentation packs in order to sell at a profit.

The Mod purchased the sovereigns from the bank of England back in January 1991 at £60 each and each man carried 20 sovereigns. Reading further into the article it says the Mod sold 16,000 sovereigns that were issued amongst 800 personnel. There were 16,289 returned, which is quoted on the certificate that comes with the set.

Nice set to own. Anyone here on the forum own one of these sets?

[CadmiumGreen]

Yes, sir, I do indeed!

[GrahamDiamond]

Fantasticooooooooo !! Super Dooper Trooper,   Stunning Set Sir !  Love them Coinster !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MickB]

Nice one @CadmiumGreen, good to see a forum member with this set.

I'll be looking at buying one of these sets in the new year.

[CadmiumGreen]

3 minutes ago, MickB said:

Nice one @CadmiumGreen, good to see a forum member with this set.

I'll be looking at buying one of these sets in the new year.

Mick, if you can pick up the one you listed, not a bad price for the set.

[MickB]

5 minutes ago, CadmiumGreen said:

Mick, if you can pick up the one you listed, not a bad price for the set.

I would have bought it last week but with Christmas around the corner my missus wouldn't let me buy anymore coins until the new year.

[CadmiumGreen]

Would have been really cool to know the provenance of each of these sovereigns in the special set. Just knowing these were used by SAS during the Gulf War, would be a huge appreciation for where these sovereigns have been. I remembered the stories from reading Bravo Two Zero By Andy McNab (pseudo) and The One That Got Away by Chris Ryan (pseudo). However, the likelihood of these Sovs being issued to aircrew is probably much higher, but still cool history none the less!! 

[CadmiumGreen]

To be honest, the whole premise behind having gold Sovereigns and Krugerrands as PMs for Escape and Evasion scenarios, as were actually used since at least World War II, and as highlighted with this “Behind Enemy Lines” Gold Sov set, has been a foundational reason for starting collecting and stacking Gold and Silver! 

[Kookaburracollector]

The French have done the same with one of their gold coins of old...The Lucky Angel 😇!

A nice read from Coinweek:-

https://coinweek.com/bullion-report/the-extraordinary-legend-of-the-french-angel-coin/

[Au79]

Anyone would share of examples or stories of how silver were used in similar manner? 

[MickB]

12 minutes ago, Au79 said:

Anyone would share of examples or stories of how silver were used in similar manner? 

Silver was used in everyday currency so I doubt any would have been issued to barter with as they would have had to carry plenty of silver compared to gold, that can be discreetly hidden.