Why A Bronze Memorial Plaque Is Known As A Dead Man's Penny

Why A Bronze Memorial Plaque Is Known As A Dead Man's Penny

The original bronze Memorial Plaque was given by Great Britain to British WWI families of those military personnel killed in the war from in the 1920's and into the 1930's. These plaques resembled the small penny coin in circulation at the time, so the memorial plaques were often called the "Dead Man's Penny".

Both the penny and the memorial plaque depicted Brittania holding a trident, although the penny has Brittania seated, while the plaque shows Brittania standing with a lion, and a small dolphin representing Britain's sea-power. Though the penny was mostly copper, and the plaque brass, the coloring, round shape, and likeness of design certainly gave the two very similar appearances.

The plaque's inscription read, "He died for freedom and honour", substituting "She" for "He" when used to commemorate fallen female service personnel. The deceased's name was inscribed in raised letters without his or her rank, because all sacrifices were considered equal. The memorial plaque was approximately four times larger than the penny. The design was chosen from a public competition in which over 800 entries were submitted. The winning design, called Pyramus, won the designer, Edward Carter Preston, a prize of 250 pounds. Preston was a renowned English artist, sculptor and medallist who also later produced a large series of sculptures for the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.

The bronze Memorial Plaque, or "Dead Man's Penny" was issued to families in a pack which also contained both a commemorative scroll from King George V and a letter, which read, "I join with my grateful people in sending you this memorial of a brave life given for others in the Great War. George R.I.". It is unknown exactly how many bronze memorial plaques were produced, but it is believed to be over 1,150,000.

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