Edward VIII abdicated in December 1936 before any circulation coinage bearing his effigy was formally issued, which has made him the subject of persistent fantasy and pattern production ever since. The original 1936 Wreath Crown was itself a pattern piece — designed by Percy Metcalfe and never authorized for circulation — making this 2017 restrike a fantasy of a fantasy. Steel trials of this type are produced to test die alignment and press settings before precious metal strikes, and typically see very limited distribution.
Edward VIII abdicated in December 1936 before any circulation coinage bearing his effigy was formally issued, which has made him the subject of persistent fantasy and pattern production ever since. The original 1936 Wreath Crown was itself a pattern piece — designed by Percy Metcalfe and never authorized for circulation — making this 2017 restrike a fantasy of a fantasy. Steel trials of this type are produced to test die alignment and press settings before precious metal strikes, and typically see very limited distribution.