1937 UK Half Penny Proof Bronze Coin

Basic Information

  • Produced by The Royal Mint.
  • The reverse of the coin illustrates the ship of Sir Francis Drake, the Golden Hind, designed by Thomas Humphrey Paget OBE.
  • Designed by Thomas Humphrey Paget OBE, the obverse of the coin features the first uncrowned portrait of King George VI, after officially ascending to the throne on 11th December 1936.
  • 1937 was the first year in which the 'Golden Hind', design was first illustrated on the Half Penny coin.
  • Rare and limited release as part of a proof coin collection.
  • Produced by The Royal Mint.
  • Struck in bronze and finished to a proof standard.
  • 1937 was the first year in which the Half Penny coin featuring the 'Golden Hind', design was released, marking the start of the reign for King George VI, after officially ascending to the throne on 11th December 1936.
  • The coin was created and released as part of a commemorative set, in recognition of the coronation of King George VI, which took place at Westminster Abbey in London on 12th May 1937.
  • The 'Golden Hind', design on the 1937 Half Penny coin replaced the fourth version of the 'Britannia', design, which was used on the reverse of Half Penny coins since 1895.
  • The reverse of the coin features an illustration of the Golden Hind galleon or large sailing ship, a design by Thomas Humphrey Paget OBE.
  • The Golden Hind galleon was used by Sir Francis Drake to become the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe between 1577 and 1580.
  • The inscription for the denomination of 'HALF PENNY', is featured around the reverse of the coin, above the depiction of the Golden Hind galleon.
  • The year '1937', is shown around the reverse of the coin, below the 'Golden Hind', design.
  • The initials 'HP', of the artist Thomas Humphrey Paget OBE who created the 'Golden Hind', design, are displayed to the right of the stern of the sailing ship.
  • Designed by Thomas Humphrey Paget OBE, the obverse of the coin features the first uncrowned portrait of King George VI, after officially ascending to the throne on 11th December 1936.
  • The Latin inscription around the obverse of the coin, 'GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX F : D : IND : IMP', an abbreviation from 'GEORGIVS VI DEI GRATIA BRITANNIARUM OMNIUM REX FIDEI DEFENSOR INDIAE IMPERATOR', translates as 'George the Sixth, by the Grace of God, King of all the Britains, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India', in English.
  • The initials 'HP', of the artist Thomas Humphrey Paget OBE who created the uncrowned portrait of King George VI, are displayed on the obverse of the coin, below the neck of the portrait.
  • Maximum mintage of 26,402.

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By: stephen-hewitt