SOUTH AFRICA UNION SERIES DESIGN CHANGES - BAKEWELL COLLECTION

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In 1937 King George VI was crowned and therefore his effigy had to be placed on the obverse of all empire coinage. Interestingly he faces the same direction as King George V which would seem incorrect since every change in monarch was supposed to include a change in the direction in which such monarch faces on empire coinage. It is not incorrect because Edward VIII was crowned before George VI and his effigy would have faced right and opposite to George V but due to his very short reign & subsequent abdication no coins were struck with his effigy for South African coinage. This meant that in order to keep with the correct tradition George VI would have to then face left which is the same as George V. The obverse design shows the uncrowned head of King George the VI. Inscription reads GEORGIVS VI REX IMPERATOR. The obverse design was used up to & including 1947. The reverse design for the Quarter Penny shows 2 sparrows perched on a sprig of mimosa within a circle. The reverse design inscription reads * SOUTH - AFRICA * DATE * SUID - AFRIKA * 1/4D and was used to strike all farthings up to and including 1950. No farthings were struck in 1940.