Saint George and the Dragon - Best and Worst Versions on Coins, Medals, or Elsewhere

[LawrenceChard]

2 minutes ago, richatthecroft said:

In some ways I agree with you Lawrence but, a nice design that’s understated is sometimes refreshing- and classic commemoratives don’t have to shout out what they are commemorating by daubing an inscription on the coin- take the 1935 Crown for example, everybody knows it’s commemorating King George V Jubilee.  Also, it’s  an alternative George & Dragon design- and the design also doesn’t have anything to do with his 25 year Jubilee.

In years to come, when the Prince ascends to the throne, coins produced for him will be popular, and collectors no doubt, will collect them- and I’m certain that the early coins of his birthday when a Prince, will be readily recognised without an inscription.

Sans inscription here: 

Fair comment, but...

I think the RM would have been working to a Privy Council notice authorising a special coin for the silver jubilee, and it was issued at face value, except for the proof version you show, and even that would have been issued at a modest price.

I suspect there was no Privy Council consent to create coins for Prince George's birthdays, and that there may have been suggestions and rejections. I am not suggesting these coins were not approved, just not as Prince George's birthday commemoratives.

I would be happy to be proved wrong.

😎

[richatthecroft]

48 minutes ago, LawrenceChard said:

Fair comment, but...

I think the RM would have been working to a Privy Council notice authorising a special coin for the silver jubilee, and it was issued at face value, except for the proof version you show, and even that would have been issued at a modest price.

I suspect there was no Privy Council consent to create coins for Prince George's birthdays, and that there may have been suggestions and rejections. I am not suggesting these coins were not approved, just not as Prince George's birthday commemoratives.

I would be happy to be proved wrong.

😎

 

According to 'English Silver Crowns' (Day, 2018 pages 188-190) it was the Mint authorities who took the decision to issue the 1935 George V Jubilee Crown, it was the first time in the history of English coinage that a truly commemorative coin was issued. The Royal Mint Advisory Committee chose Percy Metcalfe's design by a narrow majority.  

Its my favourite alternative George and Dragon design, and epitomises Art Deco design at its best.  

Interestingly, Metcalfe used his own facial features in the design of George!  I'm not sure what that says about him, but I guess a self portrait saved him having someone pose!  Day, 2018 comments that there was a mixed reception of the coin's design and the King declared the depiction of George 'a damned bad rider', and the public Christened the design as the 'rocking horse' or 'wooden horse'.  

Despite its reception, it was popular as 714,769 Jubilee Crowns were struck in .500 Silver and 2,500 Proofs were struck in .925 Silver, sold to the public for 7 Shillings and Sixpence.  The supply of Proofs were sold out quickly as there were 7,000 applicants and those unsuccessful were offered a 'carefully struck' non- proof piece in a red card box- this we know as the 'Specimen' issue.  There were also 30 1935 Crown struck in 22kt Gold and only 25 were sold to the public (5 retained for the national collections) and the 1,329 applicants were entered into a ballot.  

Apparently, both the Silver Proof and Gold Proof changed hands among collectors for significant premiums over the issue price.  This sound familiar?  I guess the art of flipping isn't a new phenomenon!  

BTW, Metcalfe hailed from God's own county 😁

And I can recommend the Michael Day book for anyone interested in English Silver Crowns 👍 

Edited February 21, 2022 by richatthecroft
Grammar & spelling as always