1951 George VI Penny – Proof Issue

1951 George VI Penny – Proof Issue – Bronze – Key Date Rarity

This listing is for a genuine 1951 Bronze Penny of King George VI, struck to proof standard at the Royal Mint, London. The coin features the bare head of George VI by Thomas Humphrey Paget and the seated Britannia reverse, a design that had been the hallmark of British pennies since the reign of Queen Victoria.

The 1951 Penny is one of the key modern British coin rarities. It was never released for general circulation and was struck in limited numbers for inclusion in official proof sets and presentation pieces. Its exceptional preservation and low mintage make it one of the most sought-after 20th-century British coins.

Historical Context

No pennies were issued for circulation in 1951, as sufficient stocks from earlier years were still available. To mark the Festival of Britain — a celebration of British post-war recovery — a limited number of proof pennies were produced. Only 120,000 were struck, many of which were included in commemorative sets, with a smaller number issued singly in sealed envelopes for collectors.

Coin Details

Country: United Kingdom
Monarch: George VI (1936–1952)
Denomination: One Penny (1d)
Date: 1951
Metal: Bronze
Weight: 9.45 g
Diameter: 30.8 mm
Edge: Plain
Finish: Proof (polished dies and specially prepared planchets)
Mintage: 120,000

Design

Obverse: Bare head of King George VI facing left. Legend: GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX FIDEI DEF:. Designed by Thomas Humphrey Paget (initials HP below neck).

Reverse: Britannia seated facing right, holding trident and shield, with lighthouse to the left and ship to the right. The word ONE PENNY above and date 1951 below.

Condition

This example displays sharp definition and an attractive natural tone, typical of well-preserved proof strikes. Both obverse and reverse show mirror-like fields and frosted devices with minimal handling. The surfaces retain excellent original lustre with subtle iridescent hues. A pleasing and genuine example of this scarce proof issue.

Collectors’ Notes

The 1951 Penny is one of the classic 20th-century British coin rarities, with an extremely low mintage and no circulation strikes. It was issued exclusively for collectors and commemorative purposes, making it a key date in the penny series. Well-preserved examples are always in strong demand, particularly those with original tone and proof brilliance intact.

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