King George VI Coronation Medal 1937
History
The King George VI Coronation Medal was a commemorative medal commissioned to celebrate the coronation of King George VI which took place 12 May 1937.
The practice up until 1977 was that United Kingdom authorities decided on a total number to be produced, then allocated a proportion to each of the Commonwealth countries and Crown dependencies and possessions.
The award of the medals was then at the discretion of the local government authority, who were free to decide who got a medal and why. Some 90,279 medals were issued, including: 6,887 to Australians and 10,089 to Canadians.
Description
The medal is circular, 32mm in diameter and was struck in silver. The obverse of this medal depicts the conjoined effigies of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, crowned and robed.
The reverse depicts the Royal Cypher, surmounted by a large crown, with the inscription; ‘CROWNED 12 May 1937’ below the Royal Cypher in two lines. Around the rim of the medal is the inscription; ‘GEORGE VI QVEEN ELIZABETH’ (a V in Queen rather than a U).
The ribbon suspender is a plain ring attached by a fastening that surmounts the medal.
The medal was issued un-named.
Ribbon
The ribbon is 32mm wide and garter-blue in colour with a narrow band consisting of three equal widths of white, red, and white, along either edge.
Bars/Clasps
None were authorised for this medal.
Further relevant historical context can be found at the foot of this entry.
Dealer Retail Value *
Coronation Medal
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£50.00
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* It should be noted that the values quoted above reflect the average price that a medal dealer may expect to sell this medal for - please see the ‘things you should know’ web page for more details about valuing medals.
Further Historical Context
This section contains information on the following:-
- The Coronation Of Edward VII.
The Coronation Of Edward VII - The coronation of King George VI and his wife, Queen Elizabeth, as King and Queen of the British Empire and Commonwealth took place at Westminster Abbey, London, on 12 May 1937.
George ascended the throne upon the abdication of his brother, King Edward VIII, on 11 December 1936, three days before his 41st birthday. Edward's coronation had been planned for 12 May 1937 and it was decided to continue with his brother and sister-in-law's coronation on the same date.
George and Elizabeth's coronation was an important event in the history of television, being the world's first major outside broadcast. It was also the first coronation to be filmed, as well as the first to be broadcast on radio.