The only year Gold coins were released during the reign of King George VI was in 1937, making these coins – especially the sovereign – rare and much sought after by collectors.
George was a heavy smoker and died in 1952 aged only 56. He was succeeded by his daughter, Queen Elizabeth II. George’s wife then became known as ‘Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother’, who maintained her popularity until her death in 2002 aged 101.
![1937 George VI £5 pounds [reverse]. Image: M J Hughes Coins.](https://coinsnotebook.com/wp-content/uploads/1937-George-VI-5-pounds-Reverse.jpg)
The original sets came in Royal Mint burgundy leatherette presentation case. All the coins had a similar design: King George VI’s head (designed by Thomas Humphrey Paget) and the reverse showing George and the Dragon (by Benedetto Pistrucci, who actually lived 1784-1855).
Over the years most sets have been broken up so as to supply Sovereign collectors with one of the harder-to-find sovereigns. Needless to say, all of these coins (individually or as a set) have a high value and the price has increased considerably over the last few years.
My thanks to Max Hughes (M J Hughes Coins) for the photographs of the set he has for sale.
 | 1937 NGC Encapsulated King George V 22ct Proof Gold Half Sovereign £ 1,999.68 |
 | RARE 1937 George VI Gold Proof Half Sovereign NGC PF63- Undergraded IMO £ 1,795.00 |
 | 1937 BRITISH SOVEREIGN 22CT GOLD PLATED LARGE COIN KING GEORGE VI £ 11.86 |
 | Gold Half Sovereign King George V 1912. Excellent condition as images show. £ 414.70 |
 | 2026 Royal Mint Gold Proof Sovereign Only 3000 Minted! First Yellow Gold New £ 1,565.00 |
 | VERY RARE KING GEORGE THE IV 1822 FULL GOLD SOVEREIGN £ 1,399.00 |
 | 1817 George III Half Gold Sovereign. Debut Year. Very Fine. £ 1,156.24 |
 | 28mm 1937 UK Edward VIII 2 pounds Sovereign Gold Plated Coin £ 10.79 |