This was the highest denomination struck during the Second World War, the Halfcrown or two shillings and sixpence. The Monarch on the coin was our wartime King, George VI. He and his family stayed in London throughout the bombing. You have the bare head of the King on one side and a crowned coat of arms on the other side. They were struck in silver as the base metals were far more useful in the war effort. Each Silver Halfcrown is dated 1940 – exactly 80 years old and they are in Fine condition. They make great gifts for someone born in 1940 or a military collector.
In 1946 for the last time ever the Royal Mint struck coins for everyday usage in Silver. Here we offer the Halfcrown. It has taken a little while but we have finally enough of these last ever silver coins to offer to our collectors. All coins are struck in 500 fine Silver by the Royal Mint and are the last silver coins ever to be struck for circulation. All 1946 coins are in selected circulated condition.
It was in the reign of King George VI that all silver was removed from our coinage and replaced with what we use today, cupronickel. But what many collectors don’t realise is that the cupronickel coins of George VI in choice condition are much rarer to get than choice silver coins of George VI. We purchased a group of the 1949 English Shillings, put away in 1949, and are they super! We have classed them Choice Uncirculated and Gem Uncirculated, the worst coin is far superior to what you see on the market and the finest coins are just about as good as you will ever see. The current catalogue price on this coin is £35.00 in just Uncirculated condition and all of these are much nicer than that. A chance to buy a Choice George VI 1949 English cupronickel Shilling at a price that will please you…
The shillings of George VI presented here were issued with the Scottish reverse type, and depict a crowned lion seated on top of a crown holding a sword and sceptre with the date divided in two, the legend above, and with the denomination below. All struck between 1947-1951. 5 coins in total that show the change of legend that occurred 1949 when the mint had to remove ‘IND IMP’ because the monarch was no longer Emperor of India. These were also the last Shillings struck in the reign of George VI as he died early in 1952.
Of course, 1944 is an important date for many reasons largely regarding the events of world war II. At that time our Monarch was King George VI, the father of Queen Elizabeth II. Our coinage was still being struck in Silver as this was less useful to the War Effort than cupronickel in producing munitions. The largest denomination struck in 1944 was the Half Crown, Two Shillings and Sixpence. The coins on offer are at the top end of the grading scale and are very nice examples - choice uncirculated. The coins have seen no wear, but of course over the past 74 years they will have toned a little, but then again haven’t we all? Nice coins that will please and delight you.
The two lowest mintages of the old Penny coin were struck in 1950 and 1951 during the reign of King George VI. In 1950 they only made 240,000 coins that means for £1000 you could have bought all the 1950 Pennies they ever made. Until very recently numismatists have always thought that all the 1950 Pennies were shipped to Bermuda for use after World War II. Now we know that this information is wrong. They were also sent to the Bahamas in the West Indies. Now, these coins were actually used in circulation, because after the War there was a great shortage of small change. The island has a very salty atmosphere and thus the coins are very scarce in the higher grades. The coins on offer are in Very Fine condition and remember they only struck a total of 240,000 1950 Pennies for circulation.
We believe the bronze coins of King George VI are much underappreciated. The farthings are easy to get, but try and get nice Pennies and Halfpennies. Here we are offering a George VI Penny from 1937 in between uncirculated and brilliant uncirculated condition.
Unlike the smaller denominations, the classic penny design featuring a seated Britannia, first introduced in 1860 and would continue throughout George VI’s reign. The Penny presented here is a 1937-48 Penny in Brilliant Unirculated condition. Dates will be of our choice.