George V, Farthing 1932

In 2008, the Royal Mint introduced new reverse designs on our coinage. One of the coins being replaced was the small-sized Five Pence which had, since its introduction in 1968 when it replaced the Shilling, borne the distinctive crowned thistle design on the reverse, the badge of Scotland. To mark the final use of this design on the Five Pence coin, the Royal Mint struck some in silver proof and it is these special coins that we off er you here, but we have a limited number available, supplied in protective capsules.

These 1936 silver sixpences have the portrait of King George V on them, but they have a far more interesting history. King George V died and his son became King Edward VIII and most of these Sixpences were struck during the reign of King Edward VIII. In December of that year Edward abdicated and his brother became King George VI. While the portrait is that of King George V who knows who was actually on the throne when they were struck. It is an interesting conundrum which will never be figured out.

It is strange but true; the Royal Mint did not strike a lot of the bronze coins that were issued in this country. In fact, at one point they were using two private mints to strike coins for them. The Heaton Mint which has a mintmark ‘H’ as on this coin and the Kings Norton Mint which used a ‘KN’ mintmark. Interestingly enough, both private mints have gone out of business. This Penny is dated 1918, which was during World War I and we guess the Royal Mint had too many other things on its plate. The mintmark is below Britannia to the left of the date. The coins on offer are in Fine condition and are rather difficult to find these days. The Royal Mint didn’t strike this 1918 Penny but the Mint Birmingham Ltd did. Why not add one to your collection?