Only a couple of decades ago, the UK commemorated 25 years of successful membership of the European Union with a celebratory coin (1998). All the symbols of pride are there – the 12 stars of the EU flag, the date of the anniversary (commemorating when we joined in 1973) and the Queen’s face. But today we are outside the EU.

At least museum collections preserve the positive relationship of our country with our close neighbours. And we in the heritage sector will continue to celebrate that, to collaborate with our European cousins and to keep warm and friendly dialogue open. We may have left politically, but we very much still feel like Europeans.

This object from the collection of the British Museum.