Numismatic

1951 Great Britain Crown Prooflike (Festival of Britain)

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Struck during a moment of national celebration, the 1951 Great Britain Crown stands as a significant mid-century numismatic release. This particular issue was minted to commemorate the Festival of Britain, a national exposition designed to promote a feeling of recovery and showcase British achievements in science, technology, the arts, and design following the hardships of the preceding decade. The obverse of this copper-nickel coin features the left-facing portrait of King George VI. Encircling the royal likeness are the Latin inscriptions indicating his status as King and Defender of the Faith. This representation captures the solemn dignity of the monarch who guided the nation through some of its most challenging modern years. On the reverse, the coin displays a classic numismatic motif: Saint George on horseback, engaged in his legendary battle to slay the dragon. This dynamic and detailed scene is accompanied by the year of minting, 1951. With a total mintage of 1,983,500 pieces, this crown is cataloged as KM-880 and Sp#4111, representing a fascinating crossover of post-war history and traditional British iconography.