commemorative coin

Today we unveiled the design of a commemorative coin being cast to mark Liverpool's 800th birthday.
It is the latest in a line of medallions to be created for city anniversaries, following on the heels of coins for the 700th and 750th birthdays in 1907 and 1957 respectively.

And it is interesting to see how the designs differ in the space of 100 years.
In 1907, children were presented with a coin bearing the image of a man kneeling before King John, who presented Liverpool with its charter in 1207.
Very grand, very civic, very British Empire.
In 2007, the coin commissioned by Liverpool Culture Company (just in the unlikely event there is anyone out there remotely confused about its origin) is quite different.
It's by sculptor du jour Stephen Broadbent and, as with all his work, a great deal of thought has gone into the design which I, for one, really like.
A timeline stretches from a liver bird, symbolising King John, to a growing branch looking to the future via the well-known images of Liverpool Castle, ships, slavery and the Three graces skyline, and the less well-known including a Ford Anglia car!
Some may criticise him for leaving out vast swathes of Liverpool's history, and I understand there's been a certain amount of debate over the final design.
There's no footie, no mention of immigration, no ferry cross the mersey, and no cathedrals.
But I think the coin, if presented and marketed (it's going to be available to buy as well as given to thousands of school children) as it deserves, will be a roaring success and a memento everyone should want to own.