Great Britain. Matt Proof Coronation Crown, 1937. S.4079; ESC-393B (R7); KM-857. George VI. Obverse, portrait of king left by T. Humphrey Paget: GEORGIVS VI D: G: BR: OMN: REX. Reverse; Crowned arms and supporters, heraldic lion and unicorn to left and right. FID: DEF: IND: IMP surrounding. Date and denomination below. Edged grained. PCGS graded Matte Proof 66. Estimated Value $5,000 - UP
* The Norweb collection of coins (part 2, sold in November 1985) included a complete 15-coin set of matt proof silver, bronze and brass coins for the 1937 coronation of King George VI - who had ascended the throne after the eventual abdication of his brother Edward VIII in December 1936. The cataloguer pointed out that it is understood that the practice of making a small number of matt proofs, of this, and other issues, was to facilitate ease of photography at the time. Another set of matt proofs, less the Maundy money, is illustrated in the Royal Mint Report for 1935/6 (pl.A, 1-12) and Linecar and Stone record one other set of 1937 matt proofs noted in commerce. Several individual pieces have been offered for sale over the past few decades, but these are all extremely rare.