United Kingdom (Great Britain) George VI 6 Pence

History

6 Pence 1949-1952, KM# 875, United Kingdom (Great Britain), George VI

Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com

Description

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	Person (king, queen, tsar etc.) George VI Bare head of the King George VI facing left. The legend is an abbreviated translation of “George VI by the Grace of God, King of all the Britains”. Engraver: Thomas Humphrey Paget GEORGIUS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX HP
Reverse	Crown, jewelry Tudor Crown Monogram, signature George VI Monogram dividing date, Tudor Crown above divides legend, value below. 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. GR (Georgius Rex) monogram dividing date, crown above. Legend above, value below. Georgius Rex is a Royal Cypher of George VI of the United Kingdom. The legend is an abbreviated translation of “Defender of the Faith”. ·FID DEF· 19 G VI R 51 ·SIX PENCE·
Edge	Reeded (milled)