King Edward VII (1903 - 1910)

King Edward VII

Edward VII (Albert Edward; 9^th Nov 1841 – 06^th May 1910) was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, King of the Commonwealth Realms, and the Emperor of India. He was the son of Queen Victoria. He reigned from 22^nd Jan 1901 until his death on 06^th May 1910.

When Queen Victoria died on 22^nd January 1901, the Prince of Wales became king. Then 59, he was the second oldest man to ascend to the throne in British history (the oldest having been William IV), who ascended at age of 64 years.

Full name --Albert Edward

Reign --22 Jan 1901-06 May 1910

Coronation --09 Aug 1902

Predecessor –Victoria

Successor --George V

King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital is amongst the foremost teaching and medical care providing institutions in India. The hospital was founded in Bombay in 1926 as a memorial to the King, who had visited India as Prince of Wales in 1876.

Coins of King Edward VII

The Edward VII series of coins of India are dated 1903-1910. No Gold coins were issued during the reign of Edward VII. There are four silver coins (Rupee, 1/2 Rupee, 1/4 Rupee and 2 Annas) and three copper coins (1/4 Anna, 1/2 Pice and 1/12 Anna). A Cupro-Nickel 1 Anna coin was introduced in 1906.

Coinage of Queen Victoria had the Queen's bust facing left; following the British practice of making the effigies of successive sovereigns face opposite directions, the coins of Edward showed the king facing right.

On 01^st Aug, 1906, the copper coins were replaced by bronze issues with the same obverse and reverse designs but a thinner plancet due to the rising international prices of copper. The 1906 coins come in both varieties.

Another special feature of the coinage of this period was that, in all the silver coins the inscription was in both English and Persian, compared to Victoria coins that showed only English. In 1 Anna Cupro-Nickel coin, the value was shown in five languages- English, Persian, Hindi, Bengali and Telugu.

The King Edward VII coins are distinct as the head is uncrowned. The apparent explanation is, though Queen Victoria died on 22^nd January 1901, Edward's coronation was not held till 09^th August 1902. The master dies were created before the coronation, so it was not possible to show him wearing the crown. To rectify this, a pattern rupee was designed in 1910. It could not be minted for public use as king Edward died in the same year.  The 1 Anna introduced in 1906 does have a portrait of the King wearing his crown.

King Edward VII - Silver Coins

 

One Rupee (1903-1910)

The Rupee was minted in both Calcutta and Bombay. There is no mint mark for Calcutta. The Bombay issues have a small incuse "B" (the 1903 Rupee also has a raised "B" variety). The "B" mint mark can be impossible to see but a "dot" on the stem of the lotus-bud (lower right on reverse) is a more prominent mark. Various traces of the 'B' may be seen, but use 'dot' on the lotus-bud stem to identify the mint.

There is an interesting (and scarce) variety on the reverse of some 1903-C Rupees. The normal configuration of five dots may be missing a dot. The explanation seems to be that the engraver was not familiar with Persian script, so he made a mistake and left out one dot. This was soon rectified, so this rare error exists only on the first year of issue. I happy to be one of the lucky collectors who have this coin.

The 1/2 Rupee was minted in both Calcutta and Bombay. The regular issues started in 1905. There is no mint mark for Calcutta. The Bombay issues have a small incuse "B" (the 1910 1/2 Rupee also has a raised "B" variety).

The 1/4 Rupee and 2 Annas was minted only in Calcutta. There are no variants and no mint marks

1 ANNA

King Edward VII - One Anna

While the 1/12 Anna, 1/2 Pice, 1/4 Anna, 2 Annas and the 1/4 rupee coins of Edward were minted at the Calcutta Mint, the 1 Anna coin was minted in the Bombay Mint. The 1 Anna coin was minted only in Bombay. Very few coins were issued in the first year (1906).I haven't seen any of them. This copper-nickel coin became very popular. The coins have an incuse "B" mint mark in the crown on the obverse of the coin. It is the only coin in the Edward VII series showing a crowned head. The scalloped edge of the coin has 12 crests, which correspond to its value of 12 pies.

1/4 ANNA

King Edward VII - Quarter Anna

The 1/4 Anna coin was minted only in Calcutta. There are no variants and no mint marks. In 1906 the composition was changed from copper to bronze. Due to increase in the International price of copper. The new bronze coins were thinner. Both versions of the coin were minted in 1906.

1/2 PICE

King Edward VII - 1/2 Pice

 

The 1/2 Pice coin was minted only in Calcutta. There are no variants and no mint marks. In 1906 the composition was changed from copper to bronze. The new bronze coins were thinner. Both versions of the coin were minted in 1906.

1/12 ANNA

King Edward VII - 1/12 Anna

 

The 1/12 Anna coin was minted only in Calcutta. There are no variants and no mint marks. In 1906 the composition was changed from copper to bronze. The new bronze coins were thinner. Both versions of the coin were minted in 1906.