1 Crown - Edward VIII Wreath Pattern

Edward VIII abdicated in December 1936 before any coins bearing his effigy entered circulation, making every piece struck in his name a pattern or trial. This copper wreath crown is one of a handful of pattern issues produced in anticipation of a reign that lasted less than a year. The Royal Mint had already invested considerable effort in preparing coinage dies — Edward had famously insisted on being portrayed facing left, breaking the longstanding convention of alternating portrait directions between monarchs.