The 1935 'Rocking Horse' Crown
Chris Barker from The Royal Mint museum gives some insight into the first modern commemorative coin, issued in 1935 to mark the Silver Jubilee of George V. Although special coins for collectors had been created by The Royal Mint previously, it was the Silver Jubilee crown which paved the way for commemorative coins as we know them today.
1935 Crown.
The first modern commemorative coin
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.
The Silver Jubilee crown of 1935 was struck primarily in silver, but a very small number were produced in gold.
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