Edward VIII Pattern £5 - $2.28 M
messydesk
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Edward VIII himself couldn't have one, but someone got it for $2.28 million today in the Heritage Paramount Collection sale. Sadly, I came away from this sale empty handed, as my early bid on the Petition crown was stomped by a few orders of magnitude.
John
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
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Wow to both!
@privaterarecoincollector just said he bought it on the 1822 $5 thread on the US Forum. Congrats on the amazing purchase.
Latin American Collection
It's comparable to the most elite 20th century US coins and one of my top 20th century coins from anywhere. I'd put it right behind J-1776 but ahead of the 1913 LHN and 1933 DE.
Many other prices in this sale seemed to be strong, especially for British coinage. The PR-63 1839 five sovereign went for slightly over $450K.
Wow, crazy price there regardless of who bought it. I really love Brit coins of this period but surprising very little for me and did not bid. Must say this pattern is quite famous although there are some other Brit coins that are of equal rarity that have not reached such levels ( hopefully they will, LOL).
Well, just Love coins, period.
The closest I'll come to a coin of Edward VIII are coins from the British colonies issued in his name, no portrait, and the reverse designs for his coinage that were used for George VI.
Not cheap but if his plan is to buy the flagship "trophy" gold coins across each country/region/era, that would make for a pretty incredible set and this coin would fit very well.
The piece of interest for me was a bit of Scots booty - the £20 coin from 1576 - it was a damaged piece but at nearly an ounce of gold it was the largest gold piece struck in Britain until the 5 Guinea coins were struck later in the 17th century in England.
I think the key reason it steps above all the other rarities you mention is because there are so few Edward VIII coins with his portrait on top of being a large and exceedingly rare coin. I would wager as a category, collectors of all the different Monarchs ranks right at the top of types of sets people assemble from the UK.
Certainly, although there is a reverse psychology that works to some extent (excepting this coin). How about a unique coin of a common King? So undoubtedly this is a major coin for the reasons you stated, but a coin such as the 1945 threepence or the 1952 Halfcrown then stand so far above the common coins of the king that they also IMO may take a booster with a coin such as this going for as much as it did.
Well, just Love coins, period.
I infer there is a noticeable premium for all Edward VIII due to his abdication as a background story. This one is also a large rare gold coin in very high grade. The two examples you listed are presumably widely known by most collectors in the UK but since there is noticeable buying by US based collectors of the rarer and most expensive British coinage, of far less or no interest to most American collectors.
There aren't many collectors who will pay high prices for a coin just because it is rare if they don't collect the series. Speaking for myself, I'd far prefer to have any Edward VIII coin if all are as scarce as I believe than any British minor except the 1933 penny.
Hmmm, the 3d thrift plant over the 1952 half crown? I think not for me, not even close. Probably greater than 12 3ds compared to one proof and one currency Halfcrown - and this is a famed coin, just not to the level of the E8 5 sov.
Well, just Love coins, period.