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.
 | Royal Mint UK GOLD PROOF SOVEREIGN 1979 to 2026 - Choose your year £ 1,100.00 |
 | Bullion Gold Half Sovereign Best Value £ 512.06 |
 | 1937 Edward VIII 'The Abdicated' Gold Plated SOVEREIGN Novelty Coin - Gap Filler £ 5.99 |
 | 1937 Proof Gold Half Sovereign £ 2,374.85 |
 | 1937 Proof Half-Sovereign PCGS PR65 - Edward VI Gold coin*446 £ 2,450.00 |
 | 1826 King George IV Full Gold Sovereign Coin 22ct Gold £ 1,485.00 |
 | 2023 King Charles III Coronation Gold Proof Half Sovereign Royal Mint Boxed £ 695.20 |
 | queen elizabeth 11 proof gold sovereign £ 1,536.70 |