The Royal Mint’s history of striking modern commemorative coins begins with this crown piece, struck to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of George V in 1935. The crown’s size provided the artist Percy Metcalfe with a handsome canvas onto which to display his heavily stylised version of the traditional motif of St George and the Dragon. St George is depicted in full armour and, on close inspection, bears a remarkable resemblance to the artist himself.

Crowns were issued regularly during the reign of George V but in 1935 a special design was released to commemorate his 25^th year on the throne, his Silver Jubilee. The Silver Jubilee crown of 1935 was struck primarily in silver, but a very small number were produced in gold.

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.