King George V 1933 4-Coin Set Very Good-Fine

An authentic keepsake of the early days of the Australian nation, the King George V 1911-36 Year Sets also form a great way to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or other special milestone.

Crowned just a decade after Australia achieved unity via Federation, the reign of George V oversaw the young nation’s formative years. By the time he died in 1936, having just celebrated a silver jubilee, Australia had experienced the catastrophe of the First World War, the boom of the Roaring 20s and the disaster of the Great Depression.

The reign of George V was also a crucial period for numismatics. The first Australian copper coins – the halfpenny and penny – were issued in the year of his coronation, whilst the first silver and copper coins struck on Australian shores were issued in 1916 and 1919 respectively. His reign also encompassed some of the nation’s highest profile rarities, including the 1930 Penny and 1923 Halfpenny.

Designed by WHJ Blakemore, the reverse of George V halfpennies and pennies are distinguished by two scrolls above and below the denomination, surrounded by beading within a double circle. The silver coins of George V, which were also designed by Blakemore, bear the Commonwealth of Australia’s original Coat of Arms, authorised by King Edward VII in 1908.

Metallic composition
The shilling and florin coins were struck from 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. The halfpenny and penny comprised 97% copper, 2.5% zinc and 0.5% tin.