This 1937 gilt-bronze medal commemorates the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, celebrated on 12 May 1937 at Westminster Abbey. Struck at the Royal Mint and designed by Percy Metcalfe, it is a fine example of a mid-20th-century coronation medal and a rewarding piece for collectors of British royal history.
The obverse shows a profile portrait of George VI facing left, with the inscription GEORGE VI CROWNED 12 MAY 1937. The reverse carries a portrait of Queen Elizabeth (later known as the Queen Mother), also facing left, with the legend QUEEN ELIZABETH 12 MAY 1937. Both sides are signed with the initials PM for Percy Metcalfe, whose work is highly regarded for its clarity and strength of design.
At 32 mm, this is a compact yet substantial medal with a warm, golden appearance due to the gilt-bronze finish. The detail is clear and well defined, and the milled edge gives it a neat, traditional finish. For collectors, the medal is especially interesting as it marks the coronation of a king who came to the throne after the abdication of his brother, Edward VIII, and who would lead the nation through the Second World War.
This is an attractive and historically meaningful piece for anyone interested in the reign of George VI, the Royal Family, coronation medals or 20th-century British commemoratives. It offers a direct and accessible link to one of the key royal events of the 1930s.
Specification
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Alloy | Bronze |
| Weight | 15.00 g |
| Diameter | 32.00mm |
| Reverse Designer | Percy Metcalfe |
| Obverse Designer | Percy Metcalfe |
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Year | 1937 |