Edward VIII uniface pattern half-crown

RMM 21

United Kingdom

Edward VIII

coin
uniface obverse

half-crown

uncrowned portrait of Edward VIII to left
inscription: EDWARDVS · VIII · DEI · GRA: BR: OMN: REX

inscription: MODEL with scratched figure 7

McMillan, William

milled

360

Tower Hill

silver

14.32g

One of the undoubted strengths of the Mint Museum is its collection of pattern coins of Edward VIII. Quite apart from their extreme rarity there are interesting stories surrounding specific pieces and the choice of the king’s portrait was one such episode. William McMillan, a Royal Academician, and Humphrey Paget were asked to prepare uncrowned effigies of the king and opinion was so divided on the design committee about the respective merits of the two portraits they submitted that the views of the king himself were sought. This uniface half-crown is a trial piece of one of McMillan’s models and, although the king readily acknowledged the quality of his work, he chose instead a portrait by Paget. It was argued that McMillan’s work was sculpturally superior but its slightly more stern aspect stood against it and we should hardly be surprised to find that the king liked the more flattering effigy by Paget.

Spink & Son Ltd, 27.5.1997

Royal Mint File 8/MUS/029/0001

Giordano T9