A rare and valuable George VI 1937 Gold Specimen Set, comprising the £5, £2, Sovereign and Half Sovereign, was recently uncovered during a Hansons Auctioneers valuation event at Moor Hall, Sutton Coldfield.
The set was brought in by local vendors who were unaware of its significance or potential worth. Upon learning that it carried an auction estimate of £8,000–£12,000, they were taken aback and requested time to consider their options. A week later, they returned to the Hansons Derbyshire saleroom with the gold set — still housed in its original Royal Mint presentation case and outer protective cover — and consigned it, along with additional items, to Hansons’ upcoming Specialist Coin Auction.
“This is a superb discovery,” said a Hansons Coin Specialist, William Hayward. “Despite signs of previous mounting, the presence of the original case and outer cover significantly enhances its appeal to collectors and investors alike.”
About the 1937 George VI Gold Specimen Set
Issued to mark the coronation of King George VI in 1937, these gold specimen sets were produced in very limited numbers — just 5,001 sets in total — and were never intended for general circulation. Struck in 22-carat gold to the highest proof standard by the Royal Mint, each coin features the iconic St George and the Dragon design by Benedetto Pistrucci on the reverse and the portrait of King George VI on the obverse.
Housed in a specially designed Royal Mint case, complete with its original outer cover, these sets were originally offered to collectors and dignitaries. Today, they are considered highly desirable due to their rarity, craftsmanship, and historic significance.
This set will be offered for sale in Hansons’ forthcoming Specialist Coin Auction on the 1st May 2025, where it is expected to attract strong interest from collectors and numismatists across the UK and beyond.
Auction Information
Auction: Derby May Coins & Banknotes Auction
Auction date: 1st May | 9.30am
Location: Hansons Derbyshire Saleroom
Auction contact: [email protected]
Catalogue/bidding: www.hansonslive.co.uk | www.the-saleroom.com
