Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 5 Cents 1942-1945, KM# 20, Mauritius, George VI
  • 5 Cents 1942-1945, KM# 20, Mauritius, George VI
Description

British Mauritius was a British crown colony. Formerly part of the French colonial empire, the crown colony of Mauritius was established after a British invasion in 1810 and the subsequent Treaty of Paris that followed. It later gained independence as a Commonwealth realm on 12 March 1968.

George VI (1895–1952) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death. He was the last Emperor of India and the first Head of the Commonwealth.

As the second son of King George V, he was not expected to inherit the throne and spent his early life in the shadow of his elder brother, Edward. George's elder brother ascended the throne as Edward VIII upon the death of their father in 1936. However, later that year Edward revealed his desire to marry divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson. British Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin advised Edward that for political and religious reasons he could not marry a divorced woman and remain king. Edward abdicated in order to marry, and George ascended the throne as the third monarch of the House of Windsor.

Obverse

Depicts a crowned bust of King George VI, left, wearing the Tudor Crown, English legend around.

The Tudor Crown, also referred to as the King's Crown or Imperial Crown, is a prominent symbol in the heraldry of the United Kingdom. Although different crown symbols had been used in heraldry for many years, the Tudor Crown design was standardized at the request of Edward VII. It was not meant to depict a real crown but closely resembles Queen Victoria's small diamond crown in shape.

Engraver: Percy Metcalfe

·GEORGE VI KING AND EMPEROR OF INDIA
PM

Reverse

Large value in the middle, mint mark below digit (SA) within beaded circle, country name above and value in letters with date below.

* MAURITIUS *
5
SA
TWO·CENTS·1947

Edge

5 Cents

British colony
KM# 20 Schön# 20
Characteristics
Material Bronze
Weight 9.7 g
Diameter 28.4 mm
Thickness 2.1 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Pretoria Mint, South Africa (SA)

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