Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 1 Shilling 1937-1946, KM# 853, United Kingdom (Great Britain), George VI
  • 1 Shilling 1937-1946, KM# 853, United Kingdom (Great Britain), George VI
Description

The shilling (1/-) was a coin worth one twentieth of a pound sterling, or twelve pence. It was first minted in the reign of Henry VII as the testoon, and became known as the shilling from the Old English scilling, sometime in the mid-sixteenth century, circulating until 1990. The word bob was sometimes used for a monetary value of several shillings, e.g. "ten bob note".

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

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

GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX
HP

Reverse

English crest; crowned lion atop the Tudor Crown divides date, legend above, denomination 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.

The legend is an abbreviated translation of “Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India”.

Engraver: George Edward Kruger Gray

·FID·DEF K G IND·IMP·
19 44
·ONE·SHILLING·

Edge

1 Shilling

English crest, with IND:IMP
KM# 853 Sp# 4082
Characteristics
Material Silver
Fineness 0.500
Weight 5.65 g
Diameter 23.5 mm
Thickness 1.7 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal

Related coins

3rd portrait

Silver, 5.65 g, ⌀ 23.5 mm
Scottish crest, with IND:IMP

Silver, 5.65 g, ⌀ 23.5 mm
English crest, with IND:IMP

Cupronickel, 5.65 g, ⌀ 23.5 mm