Royal Mint unveils new coins commemorating historic British anniversaries in 2014

Lord Kitchener will appear on the new £2 coin to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War

The five new coin designs which will go into circulation on 1st January 2014 (Joe Giddens/PA)

New coin designs commemorating historic British anniversaries, including the centenary of the First World War, are set to enter circulation in 2014.

The Royal Mint has produced designs for five denominations of coins, including a 50 pence piece, marking the start of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next year, following the success of the coins celebrating the London 2012 Olympics.

Two new £2 coins will also enter circulation to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Trinity House, the coastal defences that have safeguarded British waters since 1514, as well as the outbreak of the Great War.

War secretary Lord Kitchener and his famous call to arms 'Your Country Needs You' - one of the most iconic images of the First World War, which began in the summer of 1914 and lasted for four years causing destruction across Europe- will also feature on the new £2 coin.

Kevin Clancy, director of the Royal Mint Museum, said the coin was the first in a series that would follow the progress of the war over the next five years.

"They will track its way over the next five years, but there will be a £2 coin to mark the outbreak of the war next year and it's got a very familiar design: Lord Kitchener pointing out from the face of the coin as he did from the contemporary posters asking people at the time to sign up for the army."

The floral emblem £1 coins introduced last year with a rose for England and a daffodil for Wales will now include a a thistle for Scotland and a flax plant for Northern Ireland.

A special edition £5 coin created by celebrated sculptor Mark Richards will pay tribute to Queen Anne.

The regular coin designs will continue to be used.

Additional reporting by agencies