1947 SOUTH AFRICA PROOF CROWN – GEORGE VI

The 1947 South Africa Proof Crown (Five Shillings) is one of the most significant silver proofs of the Union era. Struck at the Royal Mint, Pretoria in anticipation of the planned Royal Visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, this proof issue represents the pinnacle of mid‑century South African numismatic design.

Although the Royal Visit was postponed due to the King’s ill health, the proof coinage had already been prepared, resulting in a scarce and highly desirable proof mintage. Collectors prize this crown for its combination of historical importance, artistic excellence, and limited availability.

The obverse features the bare‑head portrait of King George VI, engraved by Thomas Humphrey Paget, whose refined portraiture defined Commonwealth coinage of the period. The reverse showcases Coert Steynberg’s iconic Springbok, a design that would later become synonymous with South African coinage and remains one of the most admired wildlife motifs in world numismatics.

Proof examples exhibit mirror‑polished fields, frosted devices, and exceptional strike quality. Genuine proofs are considerably scarcer than their circulation‑strike counterparts and seldom appear in high grade. This is a centrepiece coin for collectors of South African silver, Commonwealth proofs, and Royal Visit commemoratives.

• Specifications
  • Metal: 80% silver, 20% copper
  • Weight: 28.28 g
  • Diameter: 38.8 mm
  • Alignment: Medal (↑↑)
  • Mintage: 5,600 proofs
  • Catalogue Reference: KM# 31

  Professional Tags

  1947 South Africa proof crown, George VI silver coin, KM31, Royal Visit coin, Springbok crown, Union of South Africa coin, proof silver coin, rare South African crown, Coert Steynberg design, Thomas Humphrey Paget portrait, South Africa 5 shillings 1947, colonial South Africa coin, British Commonwealth silver crown, scarce proof coin, historical South African numismatics