Edward VIII coins

Edward VIII coins are a series of coins that were produced upon the ascension of King Edward VIII. Because of his short reign of just 326 days and eventual abdication, many never entered circulation and remained only as pattern pieces.[1]

Edward VIII Shilling

The exact number of Edward VIII coins in existence is unknown, with the majority having been melted down by the Royal Mint after Edward VIII's abdication. Many pattern issues are retained by the Royal Mint Museum, with other surviving coins purchased by private collectors.[2] In 2020 an Edward VIII sovereign sold at auction for £1 million, the most for a British coin.[3]

United Kingdom

Striking of Edward VIII's coinage was scheduled to begin on 1 January 1937, one month after he abdicated in December 1936. Royal Mint reports from 1935-1936 suggest that over 200 dies for coins, medals, and seals had already been produced in preparation. These were eventually destroyed by the mint, with only a few patterns being retained. Six four-pieces gold coin sets were also produced to celebrate of abandoned coronation; however, today it is estimated that only two complete sets remain. One in the Royal Mint Museum and the other owned by private Tyrant Collection.[4]

Coin Known specimens Notes
Farthing
Half Penny
Penny
Three Pence
Six Pence
Shilling
Two Shillings
Half Crown
Crown
Sovereign 6 Of the six originally struck, four are in museums and institutions and two are privately owned.[5]
Double Sovereign 6
Five pound 6

Kutch Princely State

Some parts of the British empire issued coins in the name of Edward VIII. Kutch, an Indian princely state was one such. Coins of Kutch carried the name of the local ruler on one side and the British monarch on the other. In 1936, the Princely State of Kutch first issued coins in the name of Khengarji III (the local ruler) and George V, followed by Edward VIII, and then George VI. Common denominations include silver coins of 1 kori, 2.5 kori, and 5 kori.[6]

Auctions
Date Coin Price Notes
2010 13 coin pattern set £1,350,000 ($2.1 Million) [7]
2019 One Penny £111,000 Final price including buyer premium was £133,200[8]

References
  1. "Edward VIII – The Coinage That Never Was". Royal Mint. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  2. "The coins of Edward VIII". Royal Mint Museum. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  3. "'Never meant to exist': Edward VIII coin bought for record £1m". The Guardian. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  4. "The Legendary Edward VIII Pattern 5 Pounds - The Coin Even a King Couldn't Have". Heritage Auctions. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  5. "Rare Edward VIII coin bought for million pounds". Reuters. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  6. "1936 – the year of three kings – tezbid".
  7. "Goldbergs Acquire Legendary King Edward VIII 1937 Proof Set". Coin Link. Archived from the original on 27 August 2017.
  8. Chesters, Laura (26 September 2019). "Rare King Edward VIII coin makes UK auction record". antiquestradegazette.com. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
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