George VI (1936-52), Proof Crown, 1951. Struck in cupro-nickel, Festival of Britain issue, bare head left, HP below for designer Humphrey Paget, denomination FIVE SHILLINGS below, legend and outer toothed border surrounding, GEORGIVS VI D: G: BR: OMN: REX F: D:, rev. St George and dragon right, date in exergue, B.P. to upper right of exergue for designer Benedetto Pistrucci, outer toothed border and raised rim surrounding, edge with incuse legend, *MDCCCLI CIVIUM INDUSTRIA FLORET CIVITAS MCMLI, weight 28.30g (Bull 4024; Davies 2020; ESC 393C; L&S 8; KM.880; S.4111). Toned proof as issued in the Festival of Britain set, mint state. Value $250 - UP
These Crowns were produced to commemorate the Festival of Britain which took place on the South Bank of the River Thames in London opening on the 4th May 1951 for five months which was literally 100 years after the Great Exhibition in London’s Hyde Park from May to October 1851. The Royal Mint exhibited on the 27-acre site where many individual currency crowns were struck on site to sell to the festival goers. Complete proof sets of the coinage of 1951 including this crown were also available for sale to the public of which some 20,000 sets were produced.

The Latin legends translate as on obverse "George the Sixth by the grace of God, King of all the Britons, Defender of the Faith" and additionally on the edge as "1851 by the industry of its people the State flourishes 1951.".
Purchased from Spink and Son Ltd, 20th November 2000.