Issue 13 - Mint Error News Magazine

Extremely Rare 1937 Great Britain Half PenceEdward VIII Uniface Die TrialThis die trial striking is of great numismatic importanceand rarity. Edward VIII (1894-1972) abdicated theEnglish throne in 1936. This reverse die trial portrayinga ship was struck in a bronze composition and weighs5.66 grams. The obverse is uniface since only thereverse die was used. It is in gem proof condition. Thisdie trial was struck in the Royal Mint by T.H. Paget,who also designed the official portrait for the coins ofEdward VIII struck at the Royal Mint in London.Upon the death of his father, King George V, in January1936, Edward was proclaimed King Edward VIII,King of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. EdwardVIII abdicated the throne on December 11, 1936 inorder to marry an American, Mrs. Wallis Simpson. Hisbrother, the Duke of York, was next in line and becameKing George VI. Edward VIII received the title Dukeof Windsor and married Mrs. Simpson in June 1937.An Edward VIII 3 Pence struck with both the obverseand reverse dies is photographed and listed in Krauseunder patterns with a value of $45,000. Several otherdenominations of Edward VIII are also photographedand listed including a Shilling at $37,000, a Sovereignat $120,000 and several others listed as rare or have noprice listed.The story of Edward VIII is one of the most fascinatingin World Numismatics since coins were struck bearinghis portrait but were not released.Page 32minterrornews.com