A question about the obverse portraits on Brit coins

coinrookie

Why did they change the direction of the way the busts face. Example; Victoria faces left, Eddie VII faces right,George V faces left,George VI faces left and Queen Liz faces right.
I know, way too much time on my hands. Hey, I`m on vacation. That`s what they are for, so that you can ponder mindless thoughts that nobody else cares about.


Steve

spinaker2000

Not sure if you call it tradition or law, but they alternate direction for each monarch. If Charles becomes King or William he will be facing left.

drjules

I thought it was more tradition than law, also I recall that Edward VIII was set to buck the trend, but his coins didn't have a chance to get into circulation.

Dr J

wybrit

It is tradition.

Dr. Jules is right. Edward VIII felt that his better side was shown facing left, so that is how his portrait was designed. George VI, whose portrait looks much like his elder brother's, returned to the tradition and his likeness also is facing left.

ajaan

Interesting, I never knew that.

spinaker2000

<< <i>Interesting, I never knew that. >>



That's because you sir are a mushroom!!

Aethelred

<< <i>It is tradition.

Dr. Jules is right. Edward VIII felt that his better side was shown facing left, so that is how his portrait was designed. George VI, whose portrait looks much like his elder brother's, returned to the tradition and his likeness also is facing left. >>



Eddie was wrong, he didn't have a "good side."

wybrit

Eddie was wrong, he didn't have a "good side."

Almost true. He went with the wrong side. During WWII, that is.

Aethelred

<< <i>Eddie was wrong, he didn't have a "good side."

Almost true. He went with the wrong side. During WWII, that is. >>



Seems to run in that family, look at Prince Heil Harry!

MacCrimmon

Usurpers!! Nothing but Germanic types!! Wait a minute, so am I.

They're still usurpers, but those murdering Campbells are still worse to a true Scotsman......long live the Bonnie Prince.

Sylvestius

<< <i>Usurpers!! Nothing but Germanic types!! Wait a minute, so am I.

They're still usurpers, but those murdering Campbells are still worse to a true Scotsman......long live the Bonnie Prince. >>



The Scottish? Ha they usurped, long live the decendents of Cerdic! (If there's any left, i dare say there must be some somewhere!)

Sylvestius

<< <i>It is tradition.

Dr. Jules is right. Edward VIII felt that his better side was shown facing left, so that is how his portrait was designed. George VI, whose portrait looks much like his elder brother's, returned to the tradition and his likeness also is facing left. >>




A tradition that started way back with Charles II. But as you'll note even on the hammered stuff you will get kings occasionally facing the opposite way (certain denominations, Elizabeth faces left, on Laurels James I faces right, Charles faces left...), i can't remember off hand but maybe the horseback stuff faces different ways? In essence though it was a slowly built up tradition, they didn't one day just think... "you know for a laugh i might..."

theboz11

Just though I would throw these up here to confuse the issue about Bust directions.

Ascention to the Throne 1837 White Metal (18th Birthday Bust)



Ascention to the Throne 1837 Copper (Bust left)

drjules

<< <i> they didn't one day just think... "you know for a laugh i might..." >>



And here's me thinking that was all the Royals did!

Dr J