BRITISH COINS, MILLED GOLD SOVEREIGNS, George VI (1936-1952), Gold Proof Sovereign, 1937, by Thomas Humphrey Paget, bare head left, hp in relief below, georgivs vi d: g: britt: omn: rex f: d: ind: imp:, finely toothed border within twin linear concentric circles and raised rim both sides, rev struck en médaille, engraved after Benedetto Pistrucci, St George slaying dragon with sword, four strand streamer from helmet, no mane hair over rein hand, horse with long tail, broken lance on groundline to left, date in exergue, tiny b.p. to upper right, edge plain (Bentley 365; Marsh plate 50; WR 439; S 4076). Quite hairlined, otherwise good extremely fine.
It is known that 5501 gold Sovereigns were issued for the Coronation year
A report from "The Times", 3 October 1955, about the rarity of the 1953 gold coins examined more fully in the next lot, goes on to mention that the plain edged George VI gold Coronation sets were "probably illegal" as the Royal proclamation of 18 March 1937 had stated that they "shall have a graining upon the edge". The Spink Numismatic Circular of November 1955 and the Seaby Coin and Medal Bulletin of December 1955 reproduce this article.
Sovereigns dated 1925 of the design of George V were produced from all years 1949-1952, except 1950, totalling 886,000 pieces. See lot 74 for an example for sale, and for more information.
King George VI died 6 February 1952 whilst his daughter Princess Elizabeth was away in Kenya
Estimate: £1500-1800