DEATH PENNY / Memorial Plaque Death Pennies were issued to the next of kin of every British and Empi

DEATH PENNY / Memorial Plaque

Death Pennies were issued to the next of kin of every British and Empire soldier killed as a result of conflict. They were made of bronze. The design was picked as a result of a public competition and the winner was Edward Carter Preston. The name of the deceased soldier is on the plaque (in this case Joseph Arthur Challis) but with no rank. Around 600 were issued to commemorate women.

Also known as a “Dead Man’s Penny” approximately 1,355,000 plaques were issued, which used a total of 450 tonnes of bronze.

The plaque pictured above is part of the Handling Collection at the Highlanders’ Museum and it measures about 5 inches (120 mm) in diameter