T. D. writes: I have a question about a one penny coin. The date on it is 1946 and it has a what appears to be a warrior holding a pitch fork, and behind him is a shield with the British flag. One the front of the coin, it has a head and around it are the following words: GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX F:D:IND:IMP. I do not know much about coins, but I have had this one for about 5 years and it is eating at me what it is. Please help put my mind at ease.
The coin you described in your note is a penny from Great Britain. It has the bust of George VI facing left. He was King of England in 1946 and father to Elizabeth II, the current Queen. The reverse shows Britannia seated on a rock with the shield of England and holding a trident in her left hand (Symbol of Neptune and therefore the sea). The coin is common and only worth a few cents but as it has sparked so much interest in you, why not use it as the start of a coin collection.
