United Kingdom. Gold and Silver Bullion Coins Feature Re-mastered Depiction of St George.

For 2025, the reverse design featured is one created ninety years ago and has never before been struck on a British coin but has a very interesting background.

Having succeeded his father King Edward VII in May 1910, Prince George who was known as the Duke of York became King George V and along with his wife Princess Mary the Duchess of York, they attended their spectacular coronation in June 1911. Many significant changes occurred during King George V’s reign which is as relevant today as they were then. As a member of the Saxe-Coburg Gotha dynasty, the Royal family under a royal edict of the King changed the name of the dynasty to Windsor in 1917 as a result of the outbreak of war against Imperial Germany in 1914. During his reign, the British Empire reached its territorial peak by the beginning of the 1920’s and by 1931, the Statute of Westminster recognised the Empire's Dominions as separate, independent states within the newly created British Commonwealth of Nations.

As the Silver Jubilee of the King’s reign was approaching, plans for a national celebration were being made not only in Great Britain, but in many parts of the Empire and Commonwealth. As the anniversary drew closer, the enthusiasm and affection of the people for their King became more evident as street celebrations took place all over the country. On the anniversary day itself and while riding to Westminster Cathedral to attend the national blessing, King George V told his wife ‘I had no idea they felt like that about me, I’m beginning to think they must really like me for myself’. Later in the year, he thanked his subjects worldwide for their outpouring of affection in his last Christmas radio broadcast. In less than one month from his radio address, King George V died at his home in Sandringham on the 20th January 1936. The death of the King was believed to have had a greater effect upon world affairs and the British Empire in particular, than any other event since the outbreak of war in 1914.

As part of the national celebrations of the King’s Silver Jubilee, the Royal Mint decided to produce the first commemorative silver crown. Artists and engravers known to the Mint were asked to submit a reverse design befitting the occasion. Of particular notoriety was George Kruger Gray (1880 – 1943) whose reverse designs were featured on all circulating silver coin denominations since 1927. Kruger Gray submitted a design in the Gothic Revival style featuring St George on horseback slaying a dragon, a familiar motif on British coinage since 1817. His design was shortlisted along with that of the design submitted by Percy Metcalfe, whose conjoined effigies of their Majesties was featured on the official medal commemorating King George V's 25 years on the throne struck by the Royal Mint. Ultimately, Kruger Gray’s design narrowly lost out to Metcalf’s version of a more modern interpretation. More than 714,000 pieces were struck, including variations in proof quality and a small mintage of gold coins used as royal presentation pieces.

Never seen on British coinage previously and as part of this new bullion series, Kruger Gray’s design is skilfully re-mastered on the reverse of both gold and silver options. To the right and just above the primary design is the year of issue, 2025. As a security measure, each coin includes a border along the rim consisting of micro-text denoting the metal, fineness, year and weight. The obverse depicts an effigy of HM King Charles III, designed by acclaimed sculptor Martin Jennings. The denomination 2 POUNDS to 100 POUNDS is part of the legend surrounding the King’s likeness. Both the reverse and obverse also benefits from a background of surface animation providing a security measure and an eye-appealing look when the coin is tilted under a source of light.

St George and the Dragon is available to investors and collectors in a range of gold and silver one-ounce weights. The gold and silver options are available as a single purchase or in tubes of 10, 20 or ‘Monster boxes’ of up to 500 pieces. For additional information, please visit the Royal Mint’s bullion e-webshop or contact your nearest bullion distributor.