1 Crown - Elizabeth II Wedding of the Queen Mother and the Duke of York

Historical Context: Issued by the Isle of Man in 1985, this 1 Crown commemorates the 1923 wedding of Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon and Prince Albert, Duke of York. This union was profoundly significant, as they became Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and King George VI, parents to Elizabeth II. The coin, issued over sixty years after the event, reflects the Isle of Man's tradition of commemorating key British royal milestones, underscoring its unique constitutional ties to the Crown.

Artistry: The obverse features the standard Arnold Machin effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, common on Commonwealth coinage of the era. The reverse design presents conjoined busts of Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon and Prince Albert, Duke of York, facing right, as depicted on their wedding day. Their regal profiles are rendered with dignified realism, capturing the essence of the 1923 event. The inscription includes '1923' and '1985', characteristic of modern royal commemorative issues.

Technical/Grading: Struck in copper-nickel (28.45 g, 38.61 mm), this 1 Crown typically exhibits a strong strike. Key high-points for grading on the obverse include the Queen's hair and tiara details. On the reverse, critical areas for assessing strike quality are the delicate facial features of both Prince Albert and Lady Elizabeth, the intricate details of their wedding attire, and the crispness of the lettering. Specimens retaining full detail in these areas, particularly the fine lines of the hair and sharp profiles, achieve higher grades.