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George V 1931 Wreath Crown Coin. Reference: Spink 4036, English Silver Coinage 371.
4,056 George V proof crown coins dated 1931 were minted to be released around Christmas time for people to purchase as presents. In 1931, in order to combat the Great Depression, a national government was formed of the three main political parties of the time under the leadership of Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald.
The obverse of the 1931 proof King George V Wreath Crown Coin shows the left facing bare head portrait of King George V by Bertram Mackennal. Surrounding the portrait of the King is the legend: GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRIT: OHM: REX. The designer's initial's B.M. appear in the truncation.
The reverse of the 1931 proof King George V Wreath Crown Coin depicts a large central crown with 1931 above and surrounded by a wreath consisting of three thistles and three roses. The legend reads: ·FID· ·DEF· ·IND· ·IMP· ·CROWN·. The reverse of the 1931 proof crown was designed by G. Kruger Gray and the initials K.G. appear at the base of the reverse.
The edge of the George V 1931 wreath crown coin is milled.
As well as the 4,056 standard issue coins, a number of early proof (or proof-like) strikings of the 1931 wreath crown were made. Some sources state that proof versions were distributed to VIPs and that it is easy to confuse these proofs with the early trial strikings of the 1931 crown coin.
