| Noble Numismatics Pty Ltd > Auction 134 | Auction date: 21 November 2023 |
| Lot number: 2655 Price realized: Unsold | |
| Lot description: Group of four and a single medal to brothers: Baltic Medal 1854-55; Crimea Medal 1854 - clasp - Sebastopol; Turkish Crimea Medal 1855-56 British issue; Royal Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (VR)(type two). J.George Blake H.M.S.Tribune on second medal, Josh G.Blake Chf.Boats Mte H.M.Yt.Victoria & Albert on fourth medal. First and third medals unnamed, second and fourth engraved. Single medal: Crimea Medal 1854 - clasp - Sebastopol. C.William Blake H.M.S.Retribution. With original ribbons. Fine - very fine. With Certificate of Service in the Royal Navy, on vellum, for Joseph G.Blake, born 16Sept1839 at Wickham, Hampshire, confirming medals issued; and photo on card of J.G.Blake wearing the four medals. Estimate: 2000 AUD |  |
Match 1:
| Noble Numismatics Pty Ltd > Auction 134 | Auction date: 21 November 2023 |
| Lot number: 2672 Price realized: 260 AUD (Approx. 171 USD / 156 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Trio: British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19; Royal Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (QV 1877-1901 type).127878 H.Syms. S.P.O. R.N. on first medal, 147253 W.T.Syms. Ch.Sto. R.N. on second medal, Henry Syms, Lg. Stoker, H.M.S. Vivid. on last medal. Swing mounted, all medals toned, the first heavily, otherwise fine - very fine. The relationship between H.Syms and W.T.Syms is not known. 147253 Chief Stoker William Thomas Syms, born 17Nov1869 at Loee, Cornwall, UK; Died 31May1916 when HMS Indefatigable was sunk in the Battle of Jutland, the largest naval battle of WWI. Estimate: 400 AUD |  |
Match 2:
| Noble Numismatics Pty Ltd > Auction 134 | Auction date: 21 November 2023 |
| Lot number: 2657 Price realized: 2,600 AUD (Approx. 1,707 USD / 1,562 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: CB Group of Four: The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Companion breast badge with brooch bar suspender; India General Service Medal 1854-95, - two clasps - Burma 1885-7, Burma 1887-89; Afghanistan Medal 1878-80; Coronation Medal 1911. First order unnamed as issued, Major F.W.Hemming 5th Dn Gds on second medal, Capt: F.W.Hemming. 5th D G. Gds on third medal, last medal unnamed. The named medals engraved, the second in script style. Heavy contact marks on the second and third medals, otherwise fine - extremely fine. Ex Barry Hibbard Collection from Status International Sale 256 (lot 9668). CB: Supplement to LG 23/5/1900, p3327 - Colonel (temporary Major-General) Frederick Wilson Hemming, Commanding Cavalry Brigade, Aldershot (temporarily). An obituary published in The Times, London read as follows. 'Major-General Frederick Wilson Hemming, C.B., who died at Brighton yesterday at the age of 84, was a cavalry officer of the old school, whose manners were as perfect as his seat on a horse. A veteran of the Second Afghan War, he was not a Staff College graduate, but qualified for staff employment by service in the field. From the number of personal appointments he held at different times he might have been described in his younger days as the perfect A.D.C. The son of Mr. F.Hemming, late of Lisar-hall, Londonderry, and Merrywood, Somerset, he was born in August, 1850, and after leaving Clifton purchased a cornetcy in the 4th Hussars in April, 1868. He joined his regiment in India and got his first step in October, 1871. In June, 1877, he became A.D.C. to Lieutenant-General F.F.Maude, V.C. - father of Sir Stanley Maude, the victor of Baghdad in the Great War - in the Bengal Command, and accompanied him on active service when the Second Afghan War began in 1878. Thus he was in the two Bazar Valley expeditions and gained brevet majority after having been promoted captain into the 5th Dragoon Guards in October, 1878. He rejoined his regiment at home at the end of 1879, and from April to December, 1881, was A.D.C. to Sir Henry Havelock-Allan, then commanding a brigade at Aldershot. In April, 1882, he went to the Eastern District as A.D.C. to Major-General Sir H.H.Clifford, V.C., but in September he returned to Aldershot on appointment in a similar capacity to the staff of Brigadier-General H.Rowlands, V.C. In March, 1883, he returned once more to regimental duty and received his promotion to major in December, again becoming A.D.C. to General Rowlands when the latter took over command in Madras in April, 1884. From December, 1885, to February, 1886, he was staff officer for Intelligence duties with the forces engaged in Upper Burma, and was then appointed Military Secretary to Sir C.G.Arbuthnot, Commander-in-Chief, Bombay, and afterwards Commander-in-Chief, Madras. Nevertheless Major Hemming saw more service in Burma, 1887-9, being twice mentioned in dispatches for his services there and gaining another brevet. In March, 1891, he left Madras and was promoted brevet colonel in December, 1894, going on half-pay in January, 1897. In the following March, however, he reached the substantive rank of colonel, and was appointed military attach� at Tokyo, but reverted to the half-pay list again in June, 1898. In October 1899 at the outbreak of the South African War, he gained command of the South-Eastern District Cavalry Brigade, and in February, 1900, that of the 1st Cavalry Brigade at Aldershot. The whole of this period was chiefly devoted to the training of the recruits who passed through the reserve squadrons and regimental depots. In 1900 he was created a C.B. He spent from April, 1903, to September, 1906, on half-pay, and then retired from the Army with the honoray rank of major-general. General Hemming married Ada Cecil, the second daughter of his chief, Sir Frederick Maude, in 1878; she died in 1886. The funeral service will be held at St. Mark's, Brighton, to-morrow, at 10.30.' With research. Estimate: 4200 AUD |  |
Match 3:
| Noble Numismatics Pty Ltd > Auction 134 | Auction date: 21 November 2023 |
| Lot number: 2780 Price realized: 1,200 AUD (Approx. 788 USD / 721 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Group of Four to KIA: Military Cross (GVR) with bar; 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19 with MID. 17 L/Cpl F.W.Goodwin 8/BN A.I.F. on second medal, Lieut F.W.Goodwin A.I.F. on remaining two medals. First medal unnamed, second and fourth medals renamed and engraved, third medal impressed. The first medal appears to be a contemporary copy, very fine. Together with identity disc named to '17/Goodwin F.W./8.A.I.' on chain. MID: LG 28/1/1916, p1208; CAG 06/4/1916, p862, to 17 Sergeant F.W.Goodwin 8Bn. MC: LG 22/9/1916, p9286; CAG 14/12/1916, p3382, to 17 Regimental Sergeant-Major Frank Willie Goodwin. Citation: 'For conspicuous gallantry during protracted operations. He led a patrol forward, gaining valuable information, supervised supplies for the front line, and worked without ceasing for three days and nights in the removal of the wounded under heavy fire.' (Recommended for VC but awarded Bar to MC) Bar to MC: LG 14/11/1916, p11084; CAG 19/4/1917, p922, to 2nd Lieutenant Francis William (sic) Goodwin MC. Recommendation: At Pozieres, France on night of 18th August 1916 after the third attack on enemy trench between Munster Alley and Tramline, our line had fallen back on its original trench, 2/Lieut. Goodwin brought in a badly wounded man and then returned to assist others. Whilst dressing a wounded man a shell burst killing this man and knocking Goodwin out for half an hour; in spite of this when he came to his senses he brought in two others. All this time the enemy kept up a constant fire from Machine Guns and Artillery. On the next day, 19th, he observed one of our men, No.3495, Pte. G.H.Groves, lying wounded close to enemy parapet, and at night accompanied by Lieut. Mummery went to the spot which was within 5 yards of the enemy trench. Lieut. Mummery placed the man on Goodwin's back and they started off but were observed by the enemy who poured in a rain of bullets. However both officers brought this man safely across the 150 yards space between trenches which was swept by machine gun and artillery fire. In addition this officer did invaluable work in supervising the rationing of the men in the front line and getting the wounded down to the Dressing Station. He was also recommended for a DCM, 31Jul1916; Russian Cross of St George 27Aug1916; VC 27Aug1916; MM (undated). Francis Willie Goodwin, farmer, age 26yrs, born Colwall, UK; Enl.28Aug1914 at Broadmeadows, Vic; Emb.19Oct1914 Melbourne; WIA 25Apr1915 Anzac landing day at Gallipoli, GSW leg; promoted Cpl 04Aug1915; Sgt 13Aug1915; Comp Sgt Mjr 20Nov1915; Regt Sgt Mjr 10Feb1916; appointed 2nd Lieut 05 Aug1916; promoted Lieut 21Feb1917; KIA 04Oct1917 by a burst of M.G. bullets near Zonnebeke, Belgium; Commemorated Hooge Crater Cemetery Belgium. With extensive research including copy of Service Record, photographs, photocopy extract from 'Cobbers in Khaki - History of the 8th Battalion 1914-18'. Estimate: 1200 AUD |
Match 4:
| Noble Numismatics Pty Ltd > Auction 134 | Auction date: 21 November 2023 |
| Lot number: 2919 Price realized: 2,600 AUD (Approx. 1,707 USD / 1,562 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Group of Nine: War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45; Australian Active Service Medal 1945-1975, - three clasps - Malaya, Malaysia, Vietnam; Naval General Service Medal (GVIR), - clasp - Minesweeping 1945-51; United Nations Korea Medal 1950-53; General Service Medal 1962-2007, - clasp - Malay Peninsula; Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal 1964-73; Australian Service Medal 1945-1975, - four clasps - Japan, PNG, Korea, FESR; Royal Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (EIIR Dei.Gratia). P.M.8316. D.G.Gilbert. on first medal, PM8316 D G Gilbert on second and fourth medals, R36845 D G Gilbert on third, seventh and eighth medals, 36845 D.G.Gilbert on fifth medal, R.G.Gilbert R36845 on sixth medal, and 36845 RPO D.G.Gilbert. R.A.N. on last medal. All medals impressed or pantographed. Court mounted, a few medals with light contact marks, otherwise mostly extremely fine. Together with riband bar; RAN hat with Petty Officer's badge (QC) (top of hat with some foxing; b&w photo of D.G.Gilbert with 3 young sailors; programme for Form of Ceremony for Naming and Commissioning of H.M.A.S. Melbourne on Friday 28th October, 1955; invitations to Mr and Mrs D.Gilbert from the Commanding Officer H.M.S. Rhyl, 5 January (no year) at 1930 (7.30pm); Mr and Mrs D.G.Gilbert from The Government of Victoria to say farewell to His Excellency Major-General Sir Rohan Delacombe KCMG, KCVO, KBE, CB, DSO, KStJ, Governor of Victoria, 25 March 1974; Mr and Mrs D.G.Gilbert from the Government of Victoria to say farewell to His Excellency The Right Honourable Sir Paul Hasluck GCMG, GCVO, KStJ, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, 27 June 1974; Mr & Mrs D.Gilbert from the Commodore and Members of the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron to attend Centenary Ball and Presentation Dinner; Mr D.Gilbert (R.Y.C.V.) from Commanding Officer and Ship's Company H.M.A.S. Cook to attend Commissioning Ceremony at Williamstown Naval Dockyard, 28 October 1980; Mr and Mrs D.G.Gilbert from the Governor and Mrs McCaughey of Victoria to honour the Birthday of Her Majesty The Queen; The Northern Territory News, Darwin Saturday September 27, 1969, shows a photo on front page that appears to be D.G.Gilbert in uniform but caption has been torn from below photo. Douglas George Gilbert, clerk, born 21Sep1926 at South Melbourne, Vic; Enl.30Apr1945 in Royal Australian Naval Reserve at Port Melbourne and then served overseas; Disch.21Jan1947 as Able Seaman; Re-Enl.16May1949 and served at various postings and ships; awarded Royal Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 26Feb1962; Disch.20Jan1973 as Chief Petty Officer and Master-at-Arms, HMAS Cerberus. With research by Mostly Unsung and copy of Service File. Estimate: 3000 AUD |  |
Match 5:
| Spink > Auction 392 | Auction date: 14 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 204 Price realized: 35,000 USD (Approx. 31,976 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Edward VIII (1936), Winchester College, The King's Gold Prize Medal, 1936, awarded to Christopher Ivan William Seton-Watson MC*, by Thomas Humphrey Paget and Bertram Wyon, EDWARDVS VIII REX ET IMPERATOR HONOREM PROPONIT, 'classical' bare head left, rev. the tomb of William of Wykeham, ETIAM SEPULTI VIVIT FAMA WYKEHAMI OB MCCCCIV in three lines in exergue [\Even buried the fame of Wykeham lives, died 1404"], 49mm., 86.35g., [Unhallmarked, Spink XRF: 18ct. Gold, London (Royal Mint)], struck retrospectively on 2 March 1937, edge largely plain but inscribed upwards C. I. W. SETON-WATSON. 1936. in New Roman capitalised script 9 and 4 o'clock (BHM - [cf. 4383/3720]; Eimer - [cf. 1240]; Jeremy Cheek, 'Royal Prize Medals', BNJ, 2018, pp. 175-188), faintly hairlined and lightly wiped in otherwise lustrous, original fields, an unfortunate but largely imperceptible scratch above Wykeham, otherwise extremely fine and much as issued, OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE, as a 'one-year type' of which only two examples were struck off in gold for English and Latin Speech at Winchester College, the oldest continuously operating patron of an annual Royal Prize Medal, and whose unique obverse legend: 'Edward VIII, The King and Emperor Proposes this Honour' elevates this prestigious award to truly exalted numismatic heights especially when viewed alongside the approved 'Coin Portrait' in a format larger even than his legendary Pattern Five-Pounds, and critically struck in gold, by and housed in, the Royal Mint official case of issue with the stunning and seldom-encountered Edward VIII Cypher in gold-letter Provenance The Estate of Christopher Ivan William Seton-Watson MC and Bar (1918-2007). Christopher was born 6 August 1918, the younger son of Robert William and Marion Esther Seton-Watson. He was baptised at St Margaret's (Westminster) on 7 October that same year. Prior to education, he resided at No. 1 Buckingham Street, Buckingham Gate, London. His father, often writing under the pseudonym 'Scotus Viator' from here, proved a troublesome thorn in the side of the British Government for his outspoken beliefs on a federal solution to Austro-Hungary. Conscripted into the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1917, his allies soon rescued him to the Intelligence Bureau of the War Cabinet and the Enemy Propaganda Department. It was during this posting that Marion would fall pregnant and Christopher would be born. Whilst his second son was still an infant, Robert journeyed to Paris on his own diplomatic mission for the Peace Conference of July 1919. He continued to rile European officials with his jibe about the 'pygmies of Paris', but equally sought the renewal of friendships with ministers of the new state of Czechoslovakia. His allies Tomáš Masaryk would become the first premier; and Edvard Beneš its Foreign Minister. Unsurprisingly Seton-Watson Senior would prove instrumental in the establishing the post-war frontiers of Yugoslavia and Italy. Robert separately established the School of Slavonic Studies and from 1922 held its post as the first Masaryk Chair of the Faculty. Following the Wall Street Crash of 1929, Robert devoted his time to academic teachings; although was reportedly unpunctual, untidy, and too preoccupied with other matters". Unsurprisingly, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain's later policy of appeasement to Nazi Germany about the subject of Czechoslovakia, found in Seton-Watson one of his governments most pointed critics. This lead to his publication of "Britain in Europe: 1789-1914 - A Survey of Foreign Policy, 1937, in which he argued for the strengthening of the enforcement role of the League of Nations as a 'united European front against the disturbers of the peace'; in short to be an active deterrent against the 'inverted Bolshevism of Italy' and naked aggression of Germany. Following the Second World War, Seton-Watson lamented the loss of the former Easter blocs new-found democratic freedoms, retiring to the Isle of Skye where he died in 1951. With the pursuit of geo-political and military history firmly embedded within the traditions of this family, it is unsurprising to see first Hugh (born 1916), and then Christopher follow in their father's footsteps. Educated at Horris Hill, Christopher became a scholar of Winchester College in 1931. In the Summer of 1936, Christopher would receive this prestigous King's Gold Prize Medal for Latin Verse; and subsequently serve as Head Boy, or 'Aule Prae' until he left the school the following year. His academic record was excellent - having further distinguished himself in History and Latin Speech; a School Exhibition; and as the recipient of the main Classical Prize for an Old Wykehamist - the Goddard Scholarship. The following year, Christopher commenced his Bachelor degree at New College, Oxford with the study of Classics and PPE, and helpfully where his elder brother Hugh was already working as a lecturer. Also revealed on the 1939 Census is the fact Christopher had joined the Officer Training Corps as a Cadet. This would expedite his transition into the colours upon the outbreak of hostilies in September 1939. The history of the Winchester College Prize Medal dates to at least as early as the first decade of the reign of King George III in the 1760s. However, it was not until 1797, that the Prince of Wales (the then Prince Regent) took up the patronage of the award and the addition of HONOREM PROPONIT ("Proposes the Honour") was made to the design. This Royal Prize Medal is the oldest of the now 24 annual awards bestowed by the Sovereign across the Armed Forces, Education, Architecture, Science, Poetry and Geography. As noted by Christopher Eimer (Author, British Historical Medals): "the medal was established by the Prince of Wales... two each in gold and silver, to be awarded in gold for Latin speech and in silver for Latin prose; the other two medals to be awarded for English, gold for speech, silver for verse, these to be awarded in alternate years." Today, Winchester College preserves an early example of the award for 1801, stating the transitional legend 'HONOREM PRINCEPS PROPONIT' and the device of the Prince of Wales (the Ostrich Feathers). When the Prince Regent became King George IV in January 1820, the bestowal of the Prize Medal became the preserve of the Sovereign, a tradition that endures to the present day over two centuries later. The present design was updated by Bertram Wyon during the reign of Queen Victoria to depict the tomb of school founder William of Wykeham, who died in 1404. Winchester College also preserves a small collection of prize medals from the reign of King George V (1919); King George VI (1945) and the late Queen Elizabeth II (2008). As Cheek notes: "Laurence Brown went to great lengths to define which medals should or should not be included in his book. Generally prize medals were excluded, as he felt that if he did not do so the book would never be complete or be published. However his overriding consideration was that medals of national importance would be included. As Royal Prize Medals were thought to be of national importance they were there confusingly in both categories. The result was that Royal Prize Medals issued during the reigns of George IV (1820-30) to George VI (1936-52) were included in BHM.... He continues: "There are also other Royal Price Medals not listed in BHM and not present in the following set: those medals produced with the effigy of Edward VIII, of which twenty-six were produced late in 1937. Equivalent issues to nos. 1-7, 10-12, 14-16, 18 and 20-21 were produced bearing the effigy of Edward VIII; no Edward VIII medals were produced for the Royal Geographical Society (Founder's Medal); the Royal Institute of British Architects, the Police Essay Competition or the Poetry Medal. A Royal Household Long and Faithful Service medal of Edward VIII was produced but never awarded; there is an example in the Royal Mint Museum. The other medals listed in the set described below were only initiated after the abdication of Edward VIII in December 1936. Laurence Brown was an assiduous researcher and I am sure that the omission of these medals from BHM was deliberate, presumably because he believed that they should be considered as Patterns for medals that were not issued, and thus lay outside the scope of his book. However since the publication of BHM two examples of Royal Prize Medals with the effigy of Edward VIII have appeared at auction inscribed with receipients' names, so it would appear that at least two were in fact awarded. There are no specimens of Royal Prize Medals with the effigy of Edward VIII in the Royal Collection." Corpus: 1. Royal Military Academy (Sandhurst) 2. Britannia Royal Naval College (Dartmouth); Awarded to Peter S Wilson; Morton & Eden, Auction 8, 25 May 2004, lot 133 (£6,200 HP); Joseph S Giordano Collection 3. Royal Air Force College (Cranwell) 4. King Edward VIII School (King's Lynn) The abdication of King Edward VIII on the 11 December 1936 brought to an end a tumultous 325-day reign. The termination of his reign brought with it the logistical headache of scrapping his approved effigy for a replacement in the likeness of King George VI. Deputy-Master of the Royal Mint (1922-1938), Sir Robert Arthur Johnson conceded: "The work of the two artists was all but completed when the events of last December rendered it nugatory. Over 200 dies of coins, medals and seals were thus rendered useless and the Mint was faced with the task of securing portraits of his present Majesty with but limited time available." He added in the same December 1937 interview shortly before his death: "I am betraying no profound secret in stating that the coinage effigy of the former King was, at his personal wish, prepared facing to the left. But as there has been no coinage bearing the bust of the former King, the old tradition has maintained by showing the effigy of the present monarch facing in the same direction as the last monarch but one. The new King's effigy faces left, as did those of King George V and Queen Victoria, a fact which is surely one of the most happy augury." He concluded: "During 1936, in the early stages when the coinage for King Edward was in question, I was made aware that some desire existed for a complete departure from the heraldic tradition which has been associated for several centuries with our principal coins." Based on surviving Royal Mint Archives, Official Gazette entries, contemporary newspaper reports and eyewitness accounts, the following timeline can be reconstructed for the numismatic and philatelic record of the short-lived King's reign. 20 January 1936 - At five minutes to midnight, King George V dies at Sandringham and his eldest son David, Prince of Wales becomes King Edward VIII. Thursday, 6 February 1936 - An official at the General Post Office informs the Daily Telegraph, that: "New postage stamps and postal orders bearing the portrait of King Edward VIII are not likely to be issued until the end of the year. It can also be authoritatively stated that no mourning stamps are to be printed. The annual sale of stamps in Britain totals 7,000,000,000. Postal orders number 225,000,000. Of the 70,000 letter boxes in the country, comparatively few will bear King Edward's initials for some time. New boxes will do so. Letter boxes bearing the inscription E.R. VII are still in existence, and there are still a few old ones marked V.R. On the 9,000 mail vans, the Royal initials will be altered as the vehicles are repainted." It is estimated that only 271 post-boxes bearing the cypher of Edward VIII were eventually produced. The same day, the 4th Winter Olympiad is opened in Garmisch-Partenkirchen by Adolf Hitler. Friday, 21 February 1936 - "The King received Sir Robert Johnson, Deputy Master of the Royal Mint at Buckingham Palace, and inspected a plaster cast of his own head, which had been prepared at the Mint. The cast will, with Royal Approval, be used not only for the new coins, but also in the preparation of dies for medals and other purposes." Friday, 13 March 1936 - "The King has approved two designs for the new Royal cypher: "E.R. VIII.". The War Office will make known to the public next week the designs submitted by Garter King of Arms which have been approved by the King. One Cypher in plain modern block letters surmounted by the Imperial Crown, will be used by the postal authorities and Government offices, Embassies, Legations and Consulates abroad, and by Dominions, India and the Crown Colonies. The other cypher follows the traditional style of interlocked initials with oak-leaf fringes. This will be used by the armed forces and the constabulary of the Empire." Tuesday, 28 April 1936 - The King sat at Buckingham Palace for the two medallionists [Thomas Humphrey Paget and Percy Metcalfe] of the Royal Mint, for the head which will appear on the new coinage and the medals which will be granted by King Edward the Eighth. Friday, 1 May 1936 - In what is estimated to be a £1,000,000 stimulus to the manufacting and stationery industry of Britain, the first printed examples of the King's Cypher appear in circulation. Saturday, 30 May 1936 - Bradford Post Office becomes the first building in Britain to feature the King's new cypher. Monday, 20 July 1936 - The Annual Swan Voyage of His Swan Master's Skiff along the River Thames exhibits the new Royal Cypher 'in red surmounted by a gold crown'. Friday 31 July 1936 - Sir William Currie, Chairman of the Worcester Committee announced that the King had been graciously pleased to become the patron of [Thames Nautical College, H.M.S.] Worcester. The King's gold medal was won by Kenneth Hodson. "A letter from the Secretary of the King's Privy Purse was read explaining that the medal could not be presented yet as a new one had to be cast bearing King Edward's head." This same medal was later sold by Sotheby's at an auction of 5 July 1994 (lot 211) and is believed to remain in a Private British Collection. Friday, 7 August 1936 - The King approves the uncrowned effigy submitted by Mr Thomas Humphrey Paget for his coins and medals, and the designs for the reverse of the new silver coinage by Mr George Kruger Gray. Tuesday, 1 September 1936 - Edward VIII's uncrowned effigy is released on stamps at midnight, featuring the series of halfpenny, threehalfpenny and twopence-halfpenny. London's three 'all-night post offices' in Fleet Street were besieged by collectors with queues forming two hours beforehand. "The issue was regarded as the greatest success of any recorded by the Post Office as over 30,000,000 stamps were sold on the first day." The following day however, critics were quick to note: "The head of the King is far from being the best photograph that has ever been taken and makes him appear more youthful than he really is. People are asking why there could not have been a break from tradition. Why always a face in profile? Why not full face, with the King wearing that boyish smile which has endeared him to millions? The new Australian stamp shows the King full face, so why not the English?" The Belfast Newsletter notes: "People are expressing the hope that a little more imagination will be displayed in the preparation of the new King Edward coins than has been manifested in the printing of the new stamps." Monday, 14 September 1936 - The penny stamp of Edward VIII is released. Wednesday, 16 September 1936 - The Royal Mint submits proposals to the Treasury for a new larger Threepence coin. An official stated: "the size is midway between that of a sixpence and a shilling. Efforts are being made to find a distinctive edge for the coin. The metal to be used has not yet been decided upon. The new coin will not however be made of silver or nickel." As Prince of Wales, Edward had described the silver issue, colloquially dubbed a 'joey' as an 'annoying coin'. Monday, 8 December 1936 - The Official Gazette, Notice No. 769 states: His Majesty the King has approved the issue of the customary official medal to commemorate His Majesty's Coronation. The medal will show on the obverse the crowned effigy of His Majesty with legend, and on the reverse the gateway of St James's Palace. "The Royal Mint are prepared to accept orders for these medals in Gold, large size, diameter 2.5 inches, price 50 guineas; small size, diameter 1.25 inches, price 12 guineas." Notice No. 770, states: "It has been announced that His Majesty the King will broadcast a message to the Empire on the day of his Coronation, Wednesday 12 May 1937. This will be His Majesty's first act after the Coronation ceremony is over. It is understood that a message to the Empire will not be broadcast by His Majesty at Christmas." Wednesday, 10 December 1936 - King Edward VIII signs his 'Instrument of Abdication' Thursday, 11 December 1936 - King George VI acceeds to the throne Tuesday, 2 March 1937 - The Royal Mint produces the obverse die hub for the Winchester College, King's Prize Medal. As each Royal Award is the preserve of the incumbent Sovereign, it is elected to retrospectively strike the medals with the 'classical' uncrowned effigy of the former King Edward VIII for those awarded in 1936. These are distributed to recipients over the following month. i) The Royal Collection boasts the artist's approval in gilt metal of King George VI sent for the monarch's personal assent (RCIN 443736). No artistic trials of Edward VIII were produced for the same purpose as the medals were to be produced retrospectively. ii) Spink has offered Marcus William Dick's, 1938 award in 2014, lot 628 iii) Spink has offered John Christopher Dancy's, 1939 award in 2021, lot 8110 Estimate: 15000 - 20000 USD |  |
