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.
 | 1937 GEORGE VI GOLD FULL SOVEREIGN PROOF ISSUE 8.0g 22ct £ 4,450.00 |
 | 1862 Queen Victoria Full Gold Sovereign - Young Head / Shield Back - 22ct Gold £ 910.00 |
 | Gold Full Sovereign £ 873.70 |
 | 1871-S Sydney Mint Gold Sovereign – PCGS AU58 £ 1,077.70 |
 | Full Gold Sovereign coin 22ct 1896 Ldn Mint £ 822.70 |
 | 1869 Queen Victoria Full Gold Sovereign - Young Head / Shield Back £ 925.00 |
 | 1822 George IV Gold Sovereign 22ct Gold Early Sovereign Rare Date Historic Coin £ 1,281.69 |
 | King Edward 1937 Sovereign 1/1000 Oz .999 Gold Coin 2024 £ 43.69 |