Watch List notes:

GREAT BRITAIN. Edward VIII Crown Obverse & Reverse Uniface Models, 1937.

ESC-391c; Dyer-pl. A6 (obv.), pl. E; Giordano-T5c & T36a. 2 pieces in lot. EXTREMELY RARE. Possibly unique obverse and reverse uniface models struck in tin for the proposed Edward VIII Crown. Of the utmost rarity, this obverse model is the only known striking in any metal, and the reverse model is known in silver. These pieces represent the short-lived reign of King Edward VIII of Great Britain, who ruled from January 20, 1936, until his abdication on December 11, 1936. Edward VIII only ruled as king for a grand total of 326 days, which is one of the shortest-reigning monarchs in British and Commonwealth history. When King George V died, his eldest son was elevated to the throne. Mere months into his reign, he caused a controversy within the British government by disregarding royal protocols by proposing to marry an American socialite and divorcee, Wallis Simpson. The British Prime Minister opposed the idea, arguing that the common people would not accept her as queen. Moreover, the marriage would cause additional conflict as the monarch of Britain is also the head of the Church of England, which opposes the remarriage of divorced people if their spouse is alive. King Edward VIII knew that if he ignored his government and continued with the marriage that his Prime Minister and government would resign. Edward chose abdication and avoided a much larger constitutional crisis. He married Ms. Simpson in France, where they lived in exile.

Before the above scandal and abdication, the Royal mint created patterns for new coinage with Edward VIII's portraiture and name/titles. As evidenced, King Edward cared little for tradition, including the tradition set forth by previous monarchs of alternating portrait facing. If he had followed tradition as his advisors, his portraiture would face right, since his father King George V's effigy faced left. Edward insisted on facing left, "So as to show the part in his hair". The first piece in this pair displays the proposed obverse for Edward VIII's Crown, which features the already mentioned left facing bare head of Edward VIII. The surrounding inscription reads: "EDWARDVS VIII D:G: BR: OMN: REX", signifying Edward VIII, "by the Grace of God, of all the Britains King". This design was engraved by T. Humphrey Paget, and his initials appear below the truncation. The reverse model depicts the crowned arms with supporters with the lower inscription: "CROWN: 1937". The upper inscription reads: "FID: DEF: :IND: IMP", which stands for, "Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India". The initials of the engraver, G. Kruger Gray appear just below the supporters. Each of these pieces have a plain reverse with "MODEL" in raised letters in the center, and each have a toothed border with a milled edge. The Royal mint museum contains the finest collection of Edward VIII pattern coinage in existence, however it does not contain examples of the models offered for sale here. Their collection does contain a reverse model for the 1937 Crown, although it is of a different design, featuring a crowned coat of arms with different legend (see museum number RMM 14), as well as four examples of the Crown struck in silver (RMM 10-13). RMM 12 is the British museum specimen, which has been on loan since 1973, and RMM 13 is a matte proof.

The examples offered for sale here are reportedly unique.

NGC PROOF-62 (Obverse) & NGC PROOF-63 (Reverse).