The only year Gold coins were released during the reign of King George VI was in 1937, making these coins – especially the sovereign – rare and much sought after by collectors.
George was a heavy smoker and died in 1952 aged only 56. He was succeeded by his daughter, Queen Elizabeth II. George’s wife then became known as ‘Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother’, who maintained her popularity until her death in 2002 aged 101.
![1937 George VI £5 pounds [reverse]. Image: M J Hughes Coins.](https://coinparade.co.uk.robotcody.com/wp-content/uploads/1937-George-VI-5-pounds-Reverse.jpg)
The original sets came in Royal Mint burgundy leatherette presentation case. All the coins had a similar design: King George VI’s head (designed by Thomas Humphrey Paget) and the reverse showing George and the Dragon (by Benedetto Pistrucci, who actually lived 1784-1855).
Over the years most sets have been broken up so as to supply Sovereign collectors with one of the harder-to-find sovereigns. Needless to say, all of these coins (individually or as a set) have a high value and the price has increased considerably over the last few years.
My thanks to Max Hughes (M J Hughes Coins) for the photographs of the set he has for sale.
 | Pure Golden Coin 999.9 Fine Gold Brittannia 1/4 oz Unique Charles 25 pounds £ 550.00 |
 | George VI full sovereign 1937 plain edge proof gold coin £ 3,550.00 |
 | FANTASTIC KING GEORGE THE VI 1937 £2 GOLD SOVEREIGN... £ 3,450.00 |
 | 1937 George VI full sovereign proof gold coin presented in Royal Mint wood box £ 4,250.00 |
 | George VI: Rare 1937 Sovereign: Gold Plated: Original Size: UK SELLER £ 3.95 |
 | 1900 Queen Victoria Gold Half Sovereign Coin £ 280.00 |
 | 2023 Coronation King Charles III Sovereign Gold Proof NGC PF70 UC 1st Release £ 1,650.00 |
 | 1895 GOLD SOVEREIGN - QUEEN VICTORIA OLD HEAD. EXCELLENT CONDITION £ 600.00 |