The Latin legend translates as "George the Fifth, by the grace of God, King of all the Britons, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India." On the edge, the inscription translates as "An ornament and a safeguard, in the 25th year of the reign."

Crowns were issued regularly during the reign of George V but in 1935 a special design was released to commemorate his 25th year on the throne, his Silver Jubilee.

With Britain in the grip of the First World War, George V gave up the historic German name of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, adopting the Windsor name for himself and future royal generations. The proclamation of the new House of Windsor brought about a period of modernisation for the monarchy, reflecting the many social changes in Britain during the last century.