1936 Crown "Pattern"

planonit · January 9, 2017 6:31PM

Are these British coins true "patterns" or more token?
What do they bring at auction anymore?

7Jaguars · January 9, 2017 8:37PM

Pictures please! Do you mean the Geoffrey Hearns pieces? If gold, quite a bit. Silver not as much. There were some knockoffs, if memory serves, done by the folks across the way from the British Museum (is that oblique) that I think were dated 1936 and mostly done in copper-nickel but perhaps other alloys that don't bring much at all....

WillieBoyd2 · January 9, 2017 10:48PM

They are fantasy coins, the Edward VIII silver crowns for places like Southern Rhodesia.

brg5658 · January 10, 2017 11:50AM

Without pictures and more details, this thread is pretty useless.

WillieBoyd2 · January 10, 2017 12:32PM

These are sometimes called the "Spinks Patina Collection" and include fantasy crowns for Canada and other places.

Southern Rhodesia Fantasy Crown 1937 - Edward VIII
Silver, 38mm, 23.98gm

Sapyx · January 10, 2017 11:31PM

There have been several different so-called "Edward VIII pattern coins" issued since the late 1940s. They are fantasies, not true patterns, in that they were issued long after 1936 by people who had no right to be creating proposed designs for coinage. The most common and widespread series is the Lobel series of 1984, which were issued in the name of every coin-issuing colony and dominion that was in the Empire in 1936.

The cupronickel ones typically sell for $10 to $20. Precious metal ones are probably worth 10% to 20% above bullion value.

Be aware that such pieces are illegal to buy, sell or own in Canada and as such are banned from sale on eBay.

7Jaguars · January 11, 2017 7:31AM

Thanks Sapyx. I was loathe to mention the name of Coincraft! The Patina ones are nicely done (except for the obverses) - although I have an E8 Wreath crown "pattern" in gold that is quite nice and prob. worth a bit more than bullion.
The Hearn examples from the 40s-50s in silver proof often bring 600 - 800 pounds!

PCGSPhoto · January 12, 2017 8:48AM

Not to hijack this thread, but I'm reminded of one of the biggest highlights I've experienced here at PCGS: The opportunity to photograph a proof set of actual legitimate Edward VIII pattern coins. This was back in 2010 and was purchased by Goldberg Auctions.

Later that year I photographed another rendition of the Edward VIII portrait on a half crown model coin .

http://www.pcgs.com/cert/16070233