Great Britain
George V (1910-36), Bronze Penny, 1918 KN. Kings Norton Mint, bare head right, BM on truncation for engraver Bertram Mackennal, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF: IND: IMP:, rev. Britannia seated right with shield and trident, date in exergue, denomination in words above (Peck 2254; Fr.184; S.4053). Lightly toned with plenty of lustre, has been slabbed and graded by NGC as MS64RB, very rare. Estimated Value $1,000
NGC Certification 2795936-001. At the time of writing we note that 58 examples have been graded by both services of which only six examples grade one step higher. The abbreviated Latin legend on the obverse translates as "George V by the Grace of God, King of all the Britains, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India." The Kings Norton Metal Company of Birmingham (registered in 1890) was contracted by the Royal Mint to help mint bronze pennies dated 1918 and 1919 due to the demand for circulating small change following World War I and having previously helped with Colonial coinage since 1914 and in the making of bronze penny blank flans for 1912. The older Heaton Mint had been the first Birmingham metal company contracted for coinage producing Pennies dated 1912 as well as 1918 and 1919 too.