These shorter gold and silver proof sets were produced to celebrate the coronation of King George V on 22 June 1911 with a mintage of only 952 sets. The Latin inscription on the coins’ obverse translates as: ‘George the Fifth by the Grace of God, King of all the Britains, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India.’

Coins struck during a coronation year are highly desirable, particularly those struck in London. George V’s coronation at Westminster Abbey was one of the last events to have a gathering of Europe’s nobility in attendance before the outbreak of the First World War.