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.
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.