May 21, 2023

Part 7
Twelve Pence to a Shilling
King George VI


From the Shield on a 1937 One Twelfth of a Shilling

This medal commemorates the
coronation of King George VI.

Both Edward VII and George V were shown on the previous coins of Jersey in full coronation regalia, whereas the George VI coins uses only a crowned head. Beneath the truncation, the initials of Percy Metcalfe, CVO, can be found. For the 1937, 1946, and the 1947 coins, the reverse design was a continuation of the last King's coinage, and the George Kruger-Gray's initials can be found there. There were three types of coins issued during the reign of George VI, a half penny type and two different penny types. After the war, Jersey's first commemorative coin, a one twelfth of a shilling, was released in memory of the liberation of the island.

Things to note about this series:

There were two different effigies of the King used on Colonial coins. British Honduras, East Africa, and Jersey used the second type of effigy in 1937, the lower relief variety, which was more suitable for coinage.
By an Act of the States of the Island dated the 6th February, 1936, sanctioned by His Majesty in Council on the 30th April of the same year, the Finance Committee was authorized to issue up to £3,000 of Jersey bronze coins.
By an Act of the States of the Island dated the 18th June, 1947, another £3,000 of coins were authorized.
By an Act of the States of the Island dated the 30th January, 1951, another £3,000 of coins were authorized. The whole of this amount was struck in pence by the Royal Mint during 1952.

The Two Different Effigies of the King used on Colonial Coins
The Low Relief Variety	The High Relief Variety

Various coins will have die cracks, repunched letters, various spacing in the dates and words, different fonts, and other items of interest. Thus for the numismatist there are many different varieties to discover. Take a look at the following images taken from a 1937 penny. Can you spot the difference?

Be sure to click on the camera icon camera image

to review the die varieties or the letter icon Letter image

to see images using a digital microscope.

Jersey first commemorative coin was issued during the reign of King George VI.

One Twenty-Fourth of a Shilling 1937, 1946, and 1947 (click on image to enlarge)

    Year    J#    KM#   Mintage  Diameter   
    1937    54    17     72,000   25.50                     
    1946    55           72,000   25.50          
    1947    56           72,000   25.50

During the war, since coins were in short supply,
the States issued currency to fill the demand.

The order for the 1937 half pence started on November 3, 1937 and was completed on November 17, 1937, at a cost to the Royal Mint of £51/3/9.¹

Things to note:

The 1946 coins were delivered in June 1946.²
The 1947 pieces were minted in 1948.³
After 70 years of production, 1948 were the last time that a one twenty-fourth of a shilling was minted.
Proofs exist for all three years.

One Twelfth of a Shilling 1937, 1946, and 1947 (click on image to enlarge)

    Year    J#    KM#   Mintage  Diameter   
    1937    25    18    204,000   30.80          
    1946    26          204,000   30.80        
    1947    27          444,000   30.80

A 'What-if' coin

The order for the 1937 pence started on November 3, 1937 and was completed on November 17, 1937 at a cost to the Royal Mint of £199/6/10.¹

Things to note:

The obverse legend "GEORGIVS VII DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF: +" can also be found on the coins for British West Africa.
Proofs exist for all three years.
The 1947 pennies were minted in 1947 and 1948.
Bronze coins were struck at the Royal Mint, during 1937 for Eire, Palestine, British Honduras, British East Africa, and Jersey.
Bronze coins were struck at the Royal Mint, during 1946 for Cyprus, Eire, Iceland, Iraq, Jersey, Malaya, New Zealand, and Palestine.
Bronze coins were struck at the Royal Mint, during 1947 for British Honduras, Iraq, Jersey. New Zealand, and Southern Rhodesia.
Bronze coins were struck at the Royal Mint, during 1948 for Eire, Iraq, Jersey. New Zealand, and Seychelles.

1947 Penny Statistics
Date	Quantity
1947	240,000 ⁴
1948	204,000 ³

One Twelfth of a Shilling George VI Liberation Commemorative (click on image to enlarge)

    Year    J#    KM#   Mintage  Diameter   
    1945    28    19  1,200,000   30.80

A Proof coin

This commemorative issue owes its existence to Mr. J. Wilfrid du Pre of the Société Jersiaise.⁵

For this penny an obverse reduction was made from the British West Africa three inch intermediate model. A matrix, working punch and dies were made. For the reverse a new reduction was made, from the existing eletotype, bearing the Arms of Jersey only. From this punch a matrix was struck up and the inscriptions were added by hand engraving.⁶

The coins were first issued on 8th May 1949.

For a companion medallion, take a look at this Jersey liberation medal.

When India became independent in 1947, the King gave up his title of Emperor of India (IND IMP) and this title was removed from coins. Or as Wilfrid du Pré stated it⁷:

"Since the alterations made to the 1923 design by Kruger Gray of the Mint in 1931, the details of the reverse of Jersey's copper coinage have remained unchanged. It will be a source of regret to many when, in due course, the title Ind Imp, so proudly and so worthily borne by Queen Victoria and her successors, ceases to adorn the currency of Great Britain, and of that small, but loyal and ancient appendage of the British Crown - the little Island of Jersey."

Things to note:

On this coin, the title of the island is “ISLAND OF JERSEY.
Proofs exist for this issue.

Fun Fact: Newspapers reported that when these pennies first came out, children sold them for a shilling and 3 pence each. A rumor had it that only 7500 coins were minted and solely for school children.

Liberation Penny Statistics
Date	Quantity
1949	240,000 ⁶
1950	240,000 ⁸
1952	720,000 ⁹

In 1977, Jersey issued this stamp featuring this coin
for the "Centenary of Currency Reform."

The Obverse from a 1947 One Twenty-Fourth of a Shilling

The Reverse from a 1947 One Twenty-Fourth of a Shilling

The Obverse from a 1937 One Twelfth of a Shilling

The Reverse from a 1937 One Twelfth of a Shilling

Liberation Penny Statistics
Date	Quantity
1949	240,000 ⁶
1950	240,000 ⁸
1952	720,000 ⁹

In 1977, Jersey issued this stamp featuring this coin
for the "Centenary of Currency Reform."

1. MINT 12/5, Jersey coinage costs. 1926 February - 1937 November. The Public Record Office, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK.

2. Royal Mint Annual Report 1946 Volume 77, pp. 3.

3. Royal Mint Annual Report 1948 Volume 79, pp. 5.

4. Royal Mint Annual Report 1947 Volume 78, pp. 41.

5. Fred Pridmore, The Coins of The British Commonwealth of Nations, Part 1: European Territories (London: Robert Stockwell Ltd., 1960), p. 50.

6. Royal Mint Annual Report 1949 Volume 80, pp. 29.

7. Wilfrid du Pré, Jersey's Copper Coinage, Annual Bulletin of La Société Jersiaise. 1948.

8. Royal Mint Annual Report 1950 Volume 81, pp. 50.

9. Royal Mint Annual Report 1952 Volume 83, pp. 54.

During the war, coins were in short supply.
The States issued currency to fill the demand.
Depicted is a one shilling note.

shilling banknote

The reverse of the one shilling note.

Continue to the next 12 Pence section
or goto
Twelve Pence to a Shilling - Queen Victoria,
Twelve Pence to a Shilling - King Edward VII,
Twelve Pence to a Shilling - King George V,
Twelve Pence to a Shilling - King George VI,
Twelve Pence to a Shilling - Queen Elizabeth II,

home, tokens, 1/13th of a shilling, decimal, one pound, commemoratives, or gold coins

Part 7Twelve Pence to a ShillingKing George VI

Part 7
Twelve Pence to a Shilling
King George VI