Guide
George VI Coins Value Guide: 1936–1952
George VI succeeded his elder brother Edward VIII on 11 December 1936 and reigned through the Second World War, Indian independence and the post-war recovery until his death on 6 February 1952. His coinage is defined by two pivotal changes: the 1947 silver-to-cupronickel debasement driven by post-war silver shortages, and the 1949 IND IMP legend drop following Indian independence. This guide covers every denomination, the famous 1950 and 1951 penny rarities, and what each piece is worth today.
Reviewed by Connor Jones, Editor
Last updated:
In brief. Pre-1947 silver George VI coins (shillings, florins, half crowns, threepences) are
.500 silver junk-silver collectables; post-1947 are cupronickel. Most George VI coins worth £3-15 in
worn condition. Famous rarities: 1950 penny (£30-500), 1951 penny
(£40-700), 1937 Coronation crown (£15-180). 1937 proof set in original red box: £800-1,500.
The 1947 silver debasement and 1949 legend change
Two key Royal Mint changes during George VI's reign make his coins easy to date:
- 1947: silver to cupronickel. All shillings, florins, half crowns and threepences struck before 1947 are .500 silver; from 1947 onwards they are cupronickel (75% copper, 25% nickel). The change was forced by the post-war US silver-loan repayment.
- 1949: IND IMP dropped. Until 1948 the obverse legend reads "GEORGIVS VI D G BR OMN REX F D IND IMP". From 1949 it reads "GEORGIVS VI D G BR OMN REX FIDEI DEF" , the title "Emperor of India" removed after Indian independence (15 August 1947).
Famous George VI rarities
| Coin | Mintage | Why scarce | Realised |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 penny | 240,000 | Production paused 1947-1949; only 240,000 struck for Commonwealth allocations | £30 – £500 |
| 1951 penny | 120,000 | Lowest decimal-era penny mintage | £40 – £700 |
| 1952 shilling (Scottish reverse) | ~150,000 | Limited final-year strike | £15 – £75 |
| 1937 Coronation crown | 418,699 + 26,402 proof | Only Coronation issue of the reign | £15 – £450 |
| 1937 silver matt proof crown | ~ 5-10 | VIP presentation pieces | £1,200 – £2,000+ |
| 1937 proof set (15 coins) | 26,402 | Struck for collectors only | £800 – £1,500 in original red box |
The 12-sided threepence
George VI introduced the iconic nickel-brass 12-sided threepence in 1937, replacing the small silver Maundy threepence in general circulation. Designed by Frances Madge Kitchener with a thrift-plant reverse (symbolising wartime austerity), the dodecagonal shape was practical, identifiable by touch in air-raid blackouts. The 12-sided threepence ran from 1937 to 1967 and was demonetised in 1971. Most are common in worn condition (£1-3) but mint-state examples and the rare 1946 (low mintage) trade at £15-80. See our threepence values guide for the full breakdown.
Featured George VI coins on MyCoinage
5 Pounds - George VI
up to £19,627
1 Sovereign - George VI
up to £9,000
2 Pounds - George VI
up to £7,100
½ Sovereign - George VI
up to £4,000
5 Shillings - George VI Festival of Britain
up to £16
3 Pence - George VI without 'IND:IMP'
up to £23
1 Penny - George VI 2nd Maundy issue
up to £42
3 Pence - George VI 2nd Maundy issue
up to £38
Frequently asked questions
When did George VI reign?
George VI reigned from 11 December 1936 (the abdication of his elder brother Edward VIII) to his death on 6 February 1952. His coinage spans 16 calendar years and includes the wartime period, the silver-coinage debasement of 1947 from .500 fineness to cupronickel, the introduction of the first dodecagonal (12-sided) threepence, and the IND IMP / FID DEF legend change of 1949 after Indian independence.
What was the silver-coinage debasement of 1947?
In 1947 the Royal Mint replaced .500 silver shillings, florins, half crowns and threepences with cupronickel (75% copper, 25% nickel). The change was driven by the post-war silver shortage; Britain owed war debts payable in silver to the United States, and continuing to strike silver coins was unaffordable. As a result, all George VI silver-denomination coins dated 1937-1946 are .500 silver (the wartime alloy, half the silver content of pre-1920 sterling); coins dated 1947 onwards are cupronickel. This is the most-asked question about George VI coinage and the source of the famous "junk silver" UK collectable category. See our junk silver UK coins guide.
What is the IND IMP / FID DEF change of 1949?
Until 1948 George VI's coinage carried the legend "GEORGIVS VI D G BR OMN REX F D IND IMP", "George VI by the grace of God, King of all Britain, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India". After Indian independence on 15 August 1947, the title IND IMP (Emperor of India) was no longer accurate. Coins dated 1949 onwards drop "IND IMP" and shorten the legend to "GEORGIVS VI D G BR OMN REX FIDEI DEF". Coins dated 1948 carry the old legend; 1949 onwards carry the new. This makes 1948 vs 1949 examples easy to date by legend alone.
Are George VI coins valuable?
Most George VI coinage trades at modest premiums in worn condition: pre-1947 silver shillings, florins and half crowns at £3-15 each based on silver content (.500 silver); cupronickel post-1947 coins at face value to £5; bronze pennies and halfpennies at face value to a few pounds. Rarities and proofs are different: the 1937 proof set in original red box trades at £800-1,500; the famous 1937 Edward VIII threepence pattern (struck before George VI succeeded) realises £30,000+. Mint-state red bronze 1937-1947 in graded slabs commands meaningful premium.
What are the rarest George VI coins?
In circulation: the 1950 and 1951 pennies (mintages 240,000 and 120,000 respectively) are the rarest decimal-era pennies and the toughest Elizabeth II / George VI bronzes to find. The 1950 trades at £30-80 in worn grade, £200-500 in BU. The 1951 trades at £40-100 worn, £300-700 BU. 1952 silver shillings (Scottish reverse) are also scarce. In proofs: the 1953 "specimen set" prototype coins (transitional pieces struck after George VI's death but with George VI dies) are collectable specimen-only items.
Why are 1950 and 1951 pennies so rare?
Royal Mint penny production paused in 1947-1949 and resumed at low volumes in 1950 and 1951 only because Australia and New Zealand needed pennies (the UK had enough in circulation). Most of the 240,000 pennies struck in 1950 and 120,000 in 1951 went to Commonwealth nations rather than UK circulation. As a result, finding a 1950 or 1951 penny in British change is genuinely rare. They are often called "the rarest dates of the modern penny series" alongside 1933. Both years were struck only for proof sets and small Commonwealth allocations, the 1953 Coronation year resumed normal UK production.
What is the dodecagonal threepence?
George VI introduced the nickel-brass 12-sided threepence in 1937, replacing the small silver Maundy threepence in general circulation. The 12-sided shape was designed by Frances Madge Kitchener (with Madge Kitchener's husband, the 1st Earl Kitchener's nephew) and used a thrift plant reverse to symbolise wartime austerity. The dodecagonal shape made the threepence easy to identify by touch in the dark (an air-raid era practical concern). The 12-sided threepence ran from 1937 to 1967 (last circulation date) and was demonetised in 1971.
Are George VI silver coins (pre-1947) valuable?
Yes, as junk silver. Pre-1947 George VI shillings, florins, half crowns and threepences are .500 silver and contain meaningful silver content. A 1937-1946 shilling weighs 5.66 g of which 2.83 g is silver; at £25/oz silver spot the metal value is roughly £2.30. A florin (11.31 g coin, 5.66 g silver) is worth £4.55 in silver. A half crown (14.14 g, 7.07 g silver) is worth £5.69 in silver. Multiply these by 5-10× for date premium and condition; full guide on our pre-1947 vs post-1947 silver guide.
What is on the reverse of George VI coins?
Each denomination has a unique reverse design. Farthing: wren by Harold Wilson Parker. Halfpenny: Drake's ship "Golden Hind" by Thomas Humphrey Paget. Penny: Britannia by Leonard Charles Wyon. Threepence (silver Maundy): shield with George VI cypher. Threepence (12-sided nickel-brass): thrift plant by Frances Madge Kitchener. Sixpence: royal cypher GRI by George Kruger Gray. Shilling: English (lion atop crown) and Scottish (Lion of Scotland) variants by George Kruger Gray. Florin: crowned royal cypher GRI by George Kruger Gray. Half crown: royal arms by George Kruger Gray. Crown: only struck for 1937 Coronation and 1951 Festival of Britain.
How much is a 1937 Coronation crown worth?
The 1937 Coronation crown is a key George VI piece, struck to mark the 12 May 1937 Coronation. Standard issue mintage 418,699 in .500 silver; trades at £15-50 in worn condition, £60-180 in BU. A separate proof issue (mintage 26,402) carries higher premium at £200-450. A small number of 1937 silver matt proof crowns were struck for VIPs; these are very rare and trade at £1,200-2,000+. The 1951 Festival of Britain crown (cupronickel, mintage 1.98 million) is the other key George VI crown and trades at £5-25 in BU.
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