George V 1929 Wreath Crown, struck for Christmas 1929

George V (1910-36), silver Wreath Type Crown, 1929, bare head left, BM raised on truncation for engraver Bertram Mackennal, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX, rev. Imperial Crown, date above, emblematic wreath surrounding of roses, shamrocks and thistles, small K.G. to right of lowest rose for engraver Kruger Gray, denomination in words at bottom, Latin legend surrounding, .FID. .DEF. .IND. .IMP., weight 28.32g (Bull 3636; ESC 369; Davies 1632; S.4036). Toned, some short hairlines and scratches on obverse, one short imperfection inside crown on reverse, otherwise good very fine / almost extremely fine.

Mintage 4,994 struck.

The legends translate across both sides of these denominations as "George the Fifth by the grace of God, King of all the Britains, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India."

The Wreath Crown design by Kruger Gray was much admired and the type design continued in succeeding years at the request of the Bank of England who liked to stock them at Christmas time to present to good clients, hence why the mintages were always quite small for the normal currency pieces. Bertram Mackennal (later knighted) was the Australian engraver responsible for the obverse design. The 1934 Crown was the smallest issue of the wreath crown series, probably because the silver Jubilee designs of 1935 were already being anticipated as a fresh change from the wreath issue.