A look at the past - 1910 - A century ago

[UK Decimal +]

The year 1910 marked the end of the life of King Edward VII and it is perhaps fitting to look at the coins of that year whilst we await the 2010 issues.

In Gold there were Sovereigns and Half-Sovereigns, but prices for them are beyond my means so I am unable to illustrate them.

Silver was used for the Halfcrown, Florin, Shilling, Sixpence and Threepence and Bronze for the Penny, Halfpenny and Farthing.

Maundy sets were issued in the usual manner.   The Crown was last circulated in 1900 since when it has become a 'limited edition' coin of which only small quantities have been issued anyway, although 256,020, along with 15,123 Proofs, were issued in 1902 to commemorate the Coronation.

The various denominations are illustrated below, and the details are taken from Coin Yearbook 2010.   I'm sorry that some of the coins are past their best, but they're mainly denominations that I do not collect and I just happened to have a full set for the year.   Out of interest, the whole lot of them cost me a total of £20.51*.   1910 is unusual in that there are no 'different versions' listed for any of the coins.

Although Edward VII died on 6 May 1910 and was succeeded by his son, George V, no coins were produced in the name of the new King until after his Coronation on 22 June 1911, it being usual practice in Britain to wait until the Coronation before issuing new coinage.

* I have kept a record of the cost of every coin in my pre-decimal collection.

Bill.

[UK Decimal +]

1910 Halfcrown (2 shillings and 6 pence)

Circulation 2,557,685     F=£8  VF=£30  EF=£85  UNC=£350

The large 'Arms' was typical of the reverse from 1816.

Bill.

[UK Decimal +]

1910 Florin (2 shillings)

Circulation 5,650,713     F=£8  VF=£30  EF=£100  UNC=£275

Note the unusual representation of Britannia, but still with her trident and shield.   This form was only used during the reign of Edward VII.

Bill.

[UK Decimal +]

1910 Shilling (12 pence)

Circulation 26,547,236     F=£3  VF=£8  EF=£40  UNC=£85

This reverse design was used from 1902 until 1927.

Bill.

[UK Decimal +]

1910 Sixpence

Circulation 12,490,724     F=£3  VF=£5  EF=£20  UNC=£40

The year 1910 was the last in which this reverse design was used.   It was first used in 1831, although not continuously.

Bill.

[UK Decimal +]

1910 Threepence

Circulation 4,563,380     F=£1  VF=£4  EF=£18  UNC=£35

The classic reverse dating back to about 1689 and still in use today for Maundy coins, although with some detail changes.

Bill.

[UK Decimal +]

1910 Penny

Circulation 29,549,184     F=£-  VF=£3  EF=£15  UNC=£50

The reverse shows Britannia in a typical pose.

Bill.

[UK Decimal +]

1910 Halfpenny

Circulation 10,769,920     F=£2  VF=£5  EF=£20  UNC=£45

Again the classic Britannia, although she vanished from the halfpenny after 1936.

Bill.

[UK Decimal +]

1910 Farthing

Circulation 2,298,400     F=£2  VF=£8  EF=£20  UNC=£60

Britannia again, although she disappeared from the Farthing after 1936.

Bill.

[UK Decimal +]

1910 Maundy Money

1,440 sets were produced, prices shown as  EF=£110  UNC=£180

They were Proof editions of the Threepence shown above, in values of 4d, 3d, 2d and 1d.

Sorry, I haven't got these in my collection, but they are rather expensive.

Bill.