2014 Centenary of WWI "The Great War" Limited Edition PNC With £2

The Great War, as it was known until World War II, originated from tensions in Europe that were not immediately linked to Britain. Following decades of political brinkmanship in Europe and precipitated by tensions over territory in the Balkans, a Serbian nationalist,

Gavrilo Princip, assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, the heir apparent to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, on 28 June 1914.

This threatened the balance of the central powers in Europe. Austria delivered an ultimatum to the terms of the peaceful solution being sought, making war inevitable.

Like falling dominoes, European powers came to aid of their allies: on 30 July, Austria declared war on Serbia;

Russia then mobilised its forces to support Serbia; in retaliation, on 2 August Germany declared war on Russia, which also meant France was at war; when Germany invaded the neutral Belgium, on 4 August Britain declared war on Germany.

Britain's declaration meant Australia, along with the other British dominions, was also at war.

• Quality: Uncirculated
• Mintage: 2,500