Jamaican artist designs Windrush 75 coin

LONDON:

A new commemorative 50-pence coin to mark the 75th anniversary of the arrival in the UK of passengers on the Empire Windrush has been designed by a Jamaican artist.

The coin, which depicts two smartly dressed persons from the Windrush generation, was conceived by Valda Jackson, who was born in St Thomas, Jamaica, and moved to England in 1964, at five years old.

The Royal Mint also worked closely with Dr Juanita Cox, a Caribbean Studies specialist at the University of London, throughout the process of introducing the commemorative 50p coin.

Jackson said: “It’s more than a celebration of one moment. It is an acknowledgement of the real, lived experience of generations of ordinary working people, and though we may have struggled, and we still struggle in so many ways, we and our descendants are, in fact, at home.

“I am very happy to have my design selected for this coin, which honours our parents and their legacy, and which celebrates our presence, achievements, and contributions that continue to enrich our society.”

The 50p commemorative coin is available on the Royal Mint’s website in a range of precious metals and finishes, with prices starting at £11.

The Mint said it is not currently able to confirm whether the coin will enter general circulation.

Annual set Rebecca Morgan, director of collector services at the Royal Mint, said: “The Royal Mint is committed to representing and celebrating diversity on UK coinage, and as we approach the 75th anniversary of HMT Empire Windrush’s arrival in the United Kingdom, we are honoured to be marking this important anniversary in British history on an official UK 50p coin.

“Windrush has become symbolic of its passengers and today encompasses the subsequent generations who have played a pivotal role in shaping modern British culture and society since the Second World War.”

Sense of belonging

On a video released by The Royal Mint, the artist described the thinking behind her design. She said: “It doesn’t attach itself to one narrative. I began the work in the centre; not of the coin, but the people.

“I didn’t want them to appear as arrivals or of people who do not belong because this is about our presence in this country and not about our not belonging here (the United Kingdom ).

“Having them stand before the Union Jack is significant because most of the people who came here (the UK) would have grown up possibly waving the flag. For me giving them an ownership of it, and belonging and sense of generations of people being here and this being their home, is important.

“The fact that the Royal Mint chose this coin is a celebration and acceptance that they belong here and that their children and generations to come have a place here and will remain.”

The 50p coin marking the 75th anniversary of HMT Empire Windrush is also part of The Royal Mint’s annual set, a collection of commemorative coins marking the year’s most significant anniversaries and milestones.