Heritage World Coin Auctions
January Signature Sale 3089 21-22 Jan 2021
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Great Britain
Edward VIII nickel-brass Pattern 3 Pence 1937 MS61 NGC, KM849, S-4064B, Peck-2365 (EXR). 6.08gm. By T. H. Paget and Frances Madge Kitchener. Perhaps one of the most storied series in modern English coinage, the coronation sets of Edward VIII are as controversial as they are rare. Breaking tradition as much as did the man himself, the very design of Edward's coinage at once flew in the face of centuries of British numismatic convention. Whereas the Kings of England had adopted a style of alternating the direction of their portraits since the transition of power from Oliver Cromwell to Charles II, Edward, after long discussions with his Chancellor of the Exchequer Neville Chamberlain, elected to have his bust positioned to the left as had his father George V. Though over 200 dies for coins, medals, and seals were prepared for the new king's coinage in 1936, clearly indicating that the mint had all intentions of producing a full series of issues for circulation, these were ultimately destroyed after Edward's abdication to marry Wallis Simpson following just 10-1/2 months of rule. As a consequence, only a few 'specimen' sets were made and preserved, with the Royal Mint recording just 3 complete sets in existence as of September 1950, one of which was acquired by the British Museum, and likely the only other intact set in private hands residing in the Tyrant Collection. Reportedly when the Duke of Windsor later asked to acquire a Proof set for himself, his brother King George VI refused his request.
While Edward's coinage in a sense represents a 'series that never was', the peculiar dodecagonal design of his threepence with a thrift plant on the reverse was carried over by George VI and only slightly amended for the coinage of Elizabeth II. A sharp example with Mint-State detailing throughout, the present offering shows a planchet that has a light layer of milky tone across the obverse and a satin-like reverse appearance. To date, we have been able to locate only a single other specimen coming to auction in recent years, part of Baldwin's Auction 48 (lot 5041), which realized a hammer price of approximately $36,005 in 2006. Truly a scarce survivor in all regards, and sure to immediately pique the interest of collectors looking to procure such an incredible piece of British history.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/great-britain/great-britain-edward-viii-nickel-brass-pattern-3-pence-1937-ms61-ngc-/a/3089-31245.s?type=CoinArchives3089
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 20000-30000 USD
Edward VIII nickel-brass Pattern 3 Pence 1937 MS61 NGC, KM849, S-4064B, Peck-2365 (EXR). 6.08gm. By T. H. Paget and Frances Madge Kitchener. Perhaps one of the most storied series in modern English coinage, the coronation sets of Edward VIII are as controversial as they are rare. Breaking tradition as much as did the man himself, the very design of Edward's coinage at once flew in the face of centuries of British numismatic convention. Whereas the Kings of England had adopted a style of alternating the direction of their portraits since the transition of power from Oliver Cromwell to Charles II, Edward, after long discussions with his Chancellor of the Exchequer Neville Chamberlain, elected to have his bust positioned to the left as had his father George V. Though over 200 dies for coins, medals, and seals were prepared for the new king's coinage in 1936, clearly indicating that the mint had all intentions of producing a full series of issues for circulation, these were ultimately destroyed after Edward's abdication to marry Wallis Simpson following just 10-1/2 months of rule. As a consequence, only a few 'specimen' sets were made and preserved, with the Royal Mint recording just 3 complete sets in existence as of September 1950, one of which was acquired by the British Museum, and likely the only other intact set in private hands residing in the Tyrant Collection. Reportedly when the Duke of Windsor later asked to acquire a Proof set for himself, his brother King George VI refused his request.
While Edward's coinage in a sense represents a 'series that never was', the peculiar dodecagonal design of his threepence with a thrift plant on the reverse was carried over by George VI and only slightly amended for the coinage of Elizabeth II. A sharp example with Mint-State detailing throughout, the present offering shows a planchet that has a light layer of milky tone across the obverse and a satin-like reverse appearance. To date, we have been able to locate only a single other specimen coming to auction in recent years, part of Baldwin's Auction 48 (lot 5041), which realized a hammer price of approximately $36,005 in 2006. Truly a scarce survivor in all regards, and sure to immediately pique the interest of collectors looking to procure such an incredible piece of British history.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/great-britain/great-britain-edward-viii-nickel-brass-pattern-3-pence-1937-ms61-ngc-/a/3089-31245.s?type=CoinArchives3089
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 20000-30000 USD