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Orbis Collectibles

United Kingdom — George V — Bronze Penny

Also known as: Penny, One Penny

Well documentedSupported by multiple reputable specialist catalogues or publications.

Record status

Individual type · partial

Period

1911–1936

Issuing entity

United Kingdom

Maker / issuer

Royal Mint

The United Kingdom George V bronze penny is a machine-struck pre-decimal coin representing one-twelfth of a shilling, or one two-hundred-and-fortieth of a pound sterling. Issued during the reign of King George V, the denomination continued the standard British bronze penny series that had originally been established in 1860. While most issues were struck by the Royal Mint, production was also undertaken outside the Royal Mint during select years.

Pennies of this type were struck annually to the established 1870 statutory weight of approximately 9.4 grams from the beginning of George V's reign until 1922. After a three-year gap in production, minting resumed with an amended alloy of 95.5 per cent copper, 3 per cent tin, and 1.5 per cent zinc. The weight and the 30.8-millimetre diameter were strictly preserved to maintain compatibility with coin-operated amusement machines and public telephone call boxes. Production then continued for the remainder of the reign, including a small striking of six or seven 1933 coins produced for the king to place beneath the foundation stones of new buildings.

The coin features a round profile with a plain edge. The obverse presents the bare head of King George V facing left, created by the designer Bertram Mackennal, surrounded by a legend naming the monarch. The reverse displays the classic figure of Britannia seated facing right, holding a trident and a shield. On certain dates, mint marks appear positioned beside the date to denote production outside the Royal Mint. Collectors should also check adjacent to the date for mint marks denoting production outside the Royal Mint.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
3
Photograph views
2
Catalogue references
0

Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.

Historical context

Struck through a period covering the First World War, post-war metal shortages and the 1920s recoinage debates. Several years were struck at branch and contract mints in addition to the Royal Mint.

Physical characteristics

Edge
Plain
Shape
Round
Diameter
30.8 mm
Material
Bronze
Nominal weight
9.4 g

Technical characteristics

Manufacture
Machine struck

Design

Obverse
Bare head of George V facing left, legend naming the king
Reverse
Britannia seated right with shield and trident
Designer (obverse)
Bertram Mackennal

Identification

How to identify
To identify this type, look for Bertram Mackennal's left-facing bare head portrait of George V and the accompanying royal legend, which separates it from later George VI pennies featuring the same seated Britannia reverse.
Key diagnostics
Check for mint marks beside the date; several years were struck outside the Royal Mint
Common confusions
Later George VI pennies share the Britannia reverse but differ in portrait and legend
Source note
Background drawn from Wikipedia (“Penny (British pre-decimal coin)”), a tertiary source; details have not yet been checked against issuing-authority records or a standard catalogue.

Documentation checklist

Denomination
Research required
Issue or mint date
Recorded
Material
Recorded
Weight
Recorded
Mint or printer
Research required
Mint or printer mark
Research required
Catalogue reference
Research required
Attached photograph (check rights)
Recorded

Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.

Field evidence

  • images.primary{"url":"/catalogue/4bfcfa0b-1301-46e5-b8ef-7ed71cbac7f9.jpg","view":"Reverse","credit":"Welkinridge; derivative by Retroplum","license":"Public domain"}Source locator: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:British_pre-decimal_penny_1936_reverse.png

Catalogue references

No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.

Varieties

  • Branch and contract mint issues

    Certain years carry a mint mark; specific years and marks pending verification against a print catalogue.

Research required

  • Catalogue numbers (Spink, Krause) not yet transcribed from a verified print edition.
  • Year-by-year mintage table not yet sourced.
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