Obverse. Photo © Heritage Auctions
  • 5 Cents 1911, KM# 16, Canada, George V
  • 5 Cents 1911, KM# 16, Canada, George V
Description

George V (1865–1936) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 until his death in 1936. He was the only Emperor of India to be present at his own Delhi Durbar. His reign saw the rise of socialism, communism, fascism, Irish republicanism, and the Indian independence movement, all of which radically changed the political landscape. In 1917, George became the first monarch of the House of Windsor, which he renamed from the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha as a result of anti-German public sentiment.

Obverse

Crowned and robed bust of George V facing left; below bust in small lettering the artist's initials B.M.

The legend is an abbreviated translation of “George V, King and Emperor of India”. There is no reference to the King's ruling "by the grace of God" (DEI GRATIA). This omission resulted in a public outcry and the Mint modified the coinage tools to create the legend "DEI GRA:" in later issues.

The Tudor Crown, also known as the King's Crown or Imperial Crown, is a widely used symbol in heraldry of the United Kingdom. While various crown symbols had been used for this purpose for many years previously, the specific Tudor Crown design was standardised at the request of Edward VII. It was never intended to represent any actual physical crown, although in shape it bears a close resemblance to the small diamond crown of Queen Victoria.

Engraver: Edgar Bertram MacKennal

GEORGIVS V REX ET IND:IMP:
B.M.

Reverse

The facial value, accompanied by the country name and date, surrounded by two maple boughs and the Tudor Crown on top.

Engraver: Leonard Charles Wyon

5
CENTS
CANADA
1911

Edge

5 Cents

Without DEI GRATIA
KM# 16 Schön# 15
Characteristics
Material Silver
Fineness 0.925
Weight 1.167 g
Diameter 15.494 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Canadian Mint (RCM)

Related coins

Silver, 1.167 g, ⌀ 15.494 mm

Silver, 1.167 g, ⌀ 15.494 mm

Silver, 1.167 g, ⌀ 15.494 mm