WWI Memorial Plaque (Dead Mans Penny). BA 437 . WWI Memorial Plaque (Dead Mans Penny). BA 437 . Antiques & Militaria

The Memorial Plaque was issued after the First World War to the next-of-kin of all British Empire service personnel who were killed as a result of the war. The plaques (which could be described as large plaquettes) about 4.72 inches (120 mm) in diameter were cast in bronze and came to be known as the "Dead Man’s Penny" because of the similarity in appearance to the much smaller penny coin which itself had a diameter of only 1.215 inches (30.9 mm). 1,355,000 plaques were issued, which used a total of 450 tons of bronze and continued to be issued into the 1930s to commemorate people who died as a consequence of the war. It was decided that the design of the plaque was to be chosen from submissions made in a public competition. Over 800 designs were submitted and the competition was won by the sculptor and medallist Edward Carter Preston using the pseudonym Pyramus, receiving two first place prizes of £250 for his winning and also an alternative design. They were initially made at the Memorial Plaque Factory, 54/56 Church Road, Acton, W3, London] from 1919. Early Acton-made plaques did not have a number stamped on them but later ones have a number stamped behind the lion's back leg. In December 1920 manufacture was shifted to the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich. Plaques manufactured here can be identified by a circle containing the initials "WA" on the back (the "A" being formed by a bar between the two upward strokes of the "W") and by a number stamped between the tail and leg (in place of the number stamped behind the lion's back leg). The plaques are signed to; (2)Philip Joseph Cronin. (1)William Wiggins. (4)John Hardie. (3)Harry Bradbury. *The price is for 1 plaque only* UK delivery is included in the price. BA 437