back to George VI Sovereigns list
The first (and only) Gold Sovereign of King George VI was only available in Proof. It is much sought after and therefore commands quite a high price.
Although no other gold solvereigns bear the name of George VI, sovereigns were minted in 1949 (138,000), 1950 (318,000) and 1951 (430,000) but they were restrikes using the 1925 George V dies. Some say you can tell the difference as the restrikes have a more pronounced rim.
As most of the pre-war sovereigns were melted into gold bars for the war effort, if you have a 1925 sovereign it is more likely to be a restrike even though the mintages were much lower.
Mintage: 5,001 (may include coins issued as part of a set). Minted at The Royal Mint.
Besides being minted in Britain, Sovereigns have been made in Australia (Melbourne, Sydney, Perth), India (then Bombay, now Mumbai), Canada (Ottowa) and South Africa (Pretoria) although these regional mints have not made sovereigns since 1932. The non-British coins carry a small mintmark ('S','M','P','I','C' or 'SA') just above the date. This 1937 Gold Sovereign Proof was minted at The Royal Mint.
The Obverse is the Monarch's head (George VI) and the Reverse is most often St George and the Dragon, although other backs have been used and are of interest to collectors. The Reverse often gives the Sovs a new term, like "ShieldBacks".
Specifications for the Gold Sovereign
Formed in the reign of Alfred the Great about the year 886, it moved to the Tower of London in 1279 and remained there for over 500 years. The Master of The Royal Mint has included famous figures such as Sir Isaac Newton. Since 2010 it has operated as Royal Mint Ltd, a company owned by HM Treasury, under an exclusive contract to supply all coinage for the UK although it also produces medals and coins for other countries. It is currently located at Llantrisant, Wales.
George VI was King of the United Kingdom and the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death on 6 February 1952. He was the last Emperor of India and the first Head of the Commonwealth. His parents were George V and Mary of Teck.
George VI married Elizabeth (known as the Queen Mother) and is the father of Queen Elizabeth II.
It's orignal coinage was Pounds, Shillings and Pence but since decimalisation on 15 February 1971, it is £1 = 100p, that is One Pound = 100 pence. The coinage of the UK is also a long history, the Royal Mint being established as long ago as 886AD when coins were hammered. Today there are perhaps 30 billion coins in circulation, and many (numismatic) collectors coins and sets are issued frequently in gold, silver and other metals.
M J Hughes Coins are interested in buying your 1937 Gold Sovereign Proof! Selling to me means that you do not have to pay sellers fees, Paypal fees or any other transaction fees. I will give you an immediate offer and pay you the same day. Single coins or entire collection. There are a number of ways you can sell to us:
back to George VI Sovereigns list
M J Hughes Coins are always interested in buying and selling coins like the 1937 Gold Sovereign Proof. Selling to me means that you do not have to pay sellers fees, Paypal fees or any other transaction fees. I will give you an immediate offer and pay you the same day. Single coins or entire collection. If you have something and want to sell then please email us or telephone us.
The first (and only) Gold Sovereign of King George VI was only available in Proof. It is much sought after and therefore commands quite a high price.Although no other gold solvereigns bear the name of George VI, sovereigns were minted in 1949 (138,000), 1950 (318,000) and 1951 (430,000) but they were restrikes using the 1925 George V dies. Some say you can tell the difference as the restrikes have a more pronounced rim.
As most of the pre-war sovereigns were melted into gold bars for the war effort, if you have a 1925 sovereign it is more likely to be a restrike even though the mintages were much lower.Mintage: 5,001 (may include coins issued as part of a set). Minted at The Royal Mint.
In the Year: 1937
The monarch was George VI, who had his Coronation on 12th May. UK Prime Minister was Stanly Balwin but after retiring was replaced with Neville Chamberlin. Frank Whittle tests the first jet engine. The 12-sided threepenny bit was introduced. The abdicated Edward VIII becomes the Duke of Winsor and marries Wallis Simpson. The Dandy comic is first published. JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit is published.
General Description: Sovereigns
The 1937 Gold Sovereign Proof is an example of the Gold Sovereign and is one of the most ubiquitous of all coins and much sought after by both coin collectors and bullion investors. Sovereigns have been minted since 1817 (in Britain 1817-1917, 1925 and 1957 on). At coins fairs you often hear the dealers refer to these coins as Sovs.Besides being minted in Britain, Sovereigns have been made in Australia (Melbourne, Sydney, Perth), India (then Bombay, now Mumbai), Canada (Ottowa) and South Africa (Pretoria) although these regional mints have not made sovereigns since 1932. The non-British coins carry a small mintmark ('S','M','P','I','C' or 'SA') just above the date. This 1937 Gold Sovereign Proof was minted at The Royal Mint.
The Obverse is the Monarch's head (George VI) and the Reverse is most often St George and the Dragon, although other backs have been used and are of interest to collectors. The Reverse often gives the Sovs a new term, like "ShieldBacks".
Specifications for the Gold Sovereign
- Weight: 7.9881g
- Diameter: 22.05 mm
- Thickness: 1.52 mm
- Purity: 22 carat = 91.67% (11/12ths gold, 1/12th copper. Adding copper makes the coin more scratch and dent resistant)
- Gold Content: 113 grains = 7.3224 g = 0.2354 troy ounce
- Face value: £1 = 20 shillings
- Monarch: George VI
History
Up until 1604 there was a coin called the English gold sovereign and in 1816 when there was the "Great Recoinage" the name was revived. At that time standard gold (22 carat) was valued at £46 14s 6d per troy pound; this meant a £1 coin needed to weigh 123.2744783 grains or 7.988030269 g. The weight is still the same today.
As a historical note: to maintain the Gold Standard, in 1816 the value of silver was set at 66 shillings for one troy pound and silver coins were only legal for denominations up to £2.
The first sovereigns carried the head of King George III and the famous George and the Dragon design by Benedetto Pistrucci (29 May 1783 – 16 September 1855), an Italian engraver who became chief medallist at the Royal Mint.
With high value coins such as the 1937 Gold Sovereign Proof, collectors and bullion investors often worry about forgeries but actually gold coins are very difficult to forge due to gold's unique properties of density and colour. Gold is extremely dense and to use another metal and gold-plate it would result in a coin that is under-weight, over-diameter or half as thick, something that would be spotted very easily. More difficult to spot would be a bullion coin melted down and re-cast as a highly collectable date, but an expert can usually tell these too. You should always use reputable dealers.
Which Mint: The Royal Mint
The Royal Mint is the designated place for the UK to mint coins. It dates back well over 1000 years and is a Government-owned company. Formed in the reign of Alfred the Great about the year 886, it moved to the Tower of London in 1279 and remained there for over 500 years. The Master of The Royal Mint has included famous figures such as Sir Isaac Newton. Since 2010 it has operated as Royal Mint Ltd, a company owned by HM Treasury, under an exclusive contract to supply all coinage for the UK although it also produces medals and coins for other countries. It is currently located at Llantrisant, Wales.
The Monarch: George VI (1936-1952)
George VI was King of the United Kingdom and the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death on 6 February 1952. He was the last Emperor of India and the first Head of the Commonwealth. His parents were George V and Mary of Teck. George VI married Elizabeth (known as the Queen Mother) and is the father of Queen Elizabeth II.
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
The United Kingdom (UK) is the Union of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is often refered to as Great Britain (GBR). It has a long, rich history. It's orignal coinage was Pounds, Shillings and Pence but since decimalisation on 15 February 1971, it is £1 = 100p, that is One Pound = 100 pence. The coinage of the UK is also a long history, the Royal Mint being established as long ago as 886AD when coins were hammered. Today there are perhaps 30 billion coins in circulation, and many (numismatic) collectors coins and sets are issued frequently in gold, silver and other metals.
M J Hughes Coins are interested in buying your 1937 Gold Sovereign Proof! Selling to me means that you do not have to pay sellers fees, Paypal fees or any other transaction fees. I will give you an immediate offer and pay you the same day. Single coins or entire collection. There are a number of ways you can sell to us: