George V (1910-36), Nickel trial pattern Shilling, 1924. Bare head left, recut shallow portrait, BM on truncation for engraver Bertram MacKennal, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX, Rev. lion standing left on crown, date either side, linear circle around with Latin legend in upper half, FID: DEF: IND: IMP:, denomination ONE SHILLING in lower half, edge milled, weight 5.22g (Bull 3821 R4; ESC 1434A R4; Davies 1815; S.4023A; KM.PnF121). Attractively toned, with some streaks behind ear at back of neck, otherwise practically as struck and extremely rare. Value $2,500 - UP
The Latin legend on the obverse translates as "George the Fifth, by the grace of God, King of all the Britons, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India." The 1924 nickel trial weighs half a gramme less than its .500 silver currency counterpart as an attempt to see the reaction of a coinage struck in a baser metal with an intrinsic value below the face value. The companion trial of 1923 in nickel weighs the usual weight of a currency Shilling.