A lovely one-owner from new example, with its box in excellent condition, comes under the hammer at Tennants on the 19th November
https://auctions.tennants.co.uk/auction/details/cn181-coins–banknotes/?au=14278
The Royal Mint minted the 1937 gold proof set to commemorate the coronation of King George VI, who had ascended the throne unexpectedly after his brother, Edward VIII, abdicated in 1936.
The set is significant because it contains the only gold sovereign coins issued during George VI’s reign, as no others were produced for circulation.
The set contains
The 1937 gold proof set contains four coins, all struck from 22-carat gold and featuring a high-quality proof finish:
Five Pound piece (also known as a Quintuple Sovereign) weighs 39.94g
Two Pound piece (Double Sovereign) weight 15.98g
Full Sovereign weight 7.98g
Half Sovereign – weight 3.99g
The original sets were issued in a red leather case inscribed with the George VI cypher.
Rarity and value
Limited Mintage: Only 5,501 of these four-coin sets were originally minted, making the individual coins and complete sets highly scarce and desirable for collectors today.
Valuable as a set: While many of the sets have since been broken up and sold individually, complete sets are especially valuable and rare on the market.
The set’s release was influenced by two major historical events:
The Abdication of Edward VIII: After reigning for less than a year, Edward VIII abdicated the throne to marry Wallis Simpson. This meant the Royal Mint had to rush to produce new coinage for his brother, George VI, who was not expecting to become king.
The Decline of Gold Currency: By 1937, gold coins were no longer used for everyday circulation in Britain. They were minted specifically for commemorative purposes and sold to collectors.
The design
All four coins in the set share the same obverse and reverse designs, scaled to their denominations.
Obverse (Heads): Features the portrait of King George VI designed by renowned engraver Thomas Humphrey Paget. It is the first coinage effigy of the new king.
Reverse (Tails): Displays Benedetto Pistrucci’s famous design of St. George on horseback slaying the dragon, which has been featured on sovereigns since 1817.
Individual Coin Values: The individual gold coins, especially the Five Pound and Full Sovereign, also command high prices due to their rarity, high craftsmanship, and historical significance.
