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While produced in standard circulation-strike quality, 1933 pennies were not produced for general circulation
Instead, according to James Mackay in his book "A History of Modern English Coinage", these coins were struck for "inclusion in year sets interred under the foundation stones of public buildings, and only one or two are believed to be in the hands of private collectors."
Perhaps 7 or so exist in totality; one of the seven known was stolen in August 1970 and remains unaccounted for. |
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin shows the bare (uncrowned) head of King George V facing left.
Below, on the neck truncation in small letters, are the designer's initials B.M. (for [Sir Edgar] Bertram Mackennal).
Around, the monarch's legend: GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF: IND: IMP:. Translated from Latin: George the Fifth, by the Grace of God, King of all the Britains, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India.
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse of the coin shows, within a beaded border, the figure of Britannia - the female personification of Great Britain - seated facing right, wearing a crested Corinthian helmet pushed back to reveal her face and a flowing dress, resting her right hand on a shield bearing the combined crosses of the Union Flag, and holding a trident in her left hand.
In the background, sea waves.
Around left and right, the value and denomination ONE PENNY.
In exergue, the date 1933. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
ONE PENNY 1933 |
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| Edge | Plain | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | All one penny coins of 1933 have Obverse 5 and Reverse C (definitions by Freeman).
For information about Freeman obverse/reverse varieties, see descriptions on the one penny / fourth Britannia type page.
References to additional information:
[Book] Bressett, Kenneth E. 1962. A Guidebook of English Coins, Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries. Wisconsin, USA. pp 31-40
[Book] Freeman, Michael J. 1970. The Bronze Coinage of Great Britain. Motherwell, Scotland. (2016 ed. pp48-73)
[Book] Remick, Jerome. 1971. The Guide Book and Catalogue to British Commonwealth Coins., pp 202-206 |
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