George V
George V Gold Sovereigns
George V reigned from 1910 until dying of flu in 1936. During his reign he and his queen - Mary - also became Emperor and Empress of India and saw the outbreak of WWI. It was during George's reign that the family name was changed form the german "Saxe-Coburg-Gotha" to "Windsor" , George also altered any other german names within the nobility to indicate his condemnation of the war and reiterate his support for the British people.
George V would be the last reigning king to grace the face of the sovereign. This was due partly because of WWI, but also it was during this time that the monetary system collapsed and the gold standard ceased to exist. It will be interesting to see if it is Charles or William's likeness that graces the next sovereign after the present Queen Elizabeth II.
During George V's reign there were 2 liknesses on the sovereigns. The first likeness commonly called the "large head" would appear from 1911 - 1928. Then between 1928 and 1929 a new portrait was used called the "small head" and this would be in production from 1929 to 1932.
The greatest differences between the two coins was that on the "Small Head" the border was wider and had a second circle of beading added on the inside of the first. Although not greatly different on first inspection, the second portrait is smaller, the ear is not so well defined but the hair and moustache is more defined. Also note that the initials B.M., depicting the engraver of the portrait, Edgar Bertram Mackennal, are further over to the right along the bottom of the neck on the small head portrait.
On the reverse of both sovereigns is St George and the Dragon with the initials B.P. depicting the engraver Benedetto Pistrucci, to the right of the date. Because the small head has a larger portion of the fields exposed detection of marks from the bag are more likely to be seen.
Rare George V Sovereign Dates
1913, 1914, 1916 Canada
1928, 1929 Melbourne, Sydney
The Bombay Mint only issued George V sovereigns in the year 1918
The Pretoria Mint in South Africa was the only Mint to issue George V sovereigns in 1932
George V also has the distinction of being the only monarch to appear on sovereigns struck from all 7 mints.
George V Sovereign on eBay
 Great Britain Gold One Sovereign King George V 22k 1913 $545.00 Time Remaining: 22h 29m Buy It Now for only: $545.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 1936 BOOKLET LIFE REIGN LATE SOVEREIGN KING GEORGE V + CAREER EDWARD VIII PHOTOS $24.99 Time Remaining: 1d 5m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 almost Mint 1918 sovereign George V PERTH MINT $323.80 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 19h 21m |
 1911 George V English Gold Sovereign in Very Fine Condition $472.03 Time Remaining: 2d 7h 17m |
 1915 George V Full Sovereign Coin Pendant Chain $1,028.65 Time Remaining: 2d 12h 43m Buy It Now for only: $1,028.65 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 1931 GEORGE V GOLD FULL SOVEREIGN + PRESENTATION BOX $575.00 Time Remaining: 2d 13h 30m Buy It Now for only: $575.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 1930 MELBOURNE GEORGE V SOVEREIGN RARE AUNC $695.00 Time Remaining: 2d 13h 30m Buy It Now for only: $695.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 1925 GEORGE V GOLD FULL SOVEREIGN + PRESENTATION BOX $575.00 Time Remaining: 2d 13h 30m Buy It Now for only: $575.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 1923 GEORGE V GOLD FULL SOVEREIGN + PRESENTATION BOX $575.00 Time Remaining: 2d 13h 30m Buy It Now for only: $575.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 1914 GEORGE V GOLD FULL SOVEREIGN + PRESENTATION BOX $575.00 Time Remaining: 2d 13h 30m Buy It Now for only: $575.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 1915 GEORGE V GOLD FULL SOVEREIGN + PRESENTATION BOX $575.00 Time Remaining: 2d 13h 30m Buy It Now for only: $575.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 1930 GEORGE V GOLD FULL SOVEREIGN + PRESENTATION BOX $575.00 Time Remaining: 2d 13h 30m Buy It Now for only: $575.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
photo of George V gold sovereign from www.istockphoto.com
