Information about effigy: King George V - Bare Head, by Bertram Mackennal

Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal, KCVO (12 June 1863 - 10 October 1931), usually known as Bertram Mackennal, was an Australian sculptor, most famous for designing the coinage and stamps bearing the likeness of King George V.

This effigy shows the portrait of the King facing left; around, the legend (in Latin); the artist's initials BM are in small letters on the neck truncation.

The effigy was only used on Imperial coinage (in the United Kingdom itself); colonial coinage had the crowned bust, also by Bertram Mackennal.

King George V, Emperor of India, on gold coinage

United Kingdom / Five Pounds 1911 (Proof only)

Shown here is the legend and effigy of King George V on gold coinage from the proof set issued to celebrate his coronation.

King George V Uncrowned - "Small Head"

United Kingdom / Sovereign 1930

In 1929, the relative size of the portrait on the coin was change, making it smaller with larger fields around, due to issues in production resulting in "ghosting" (a shadow of the portrait appears on the reverse). This is known as the "small head" version.