British West Africa, Edward VIII, Penny Error KN Mint, 1936

While there were no portrait coins of King Edward VIII, the King who abdicated in favour of his brother George VI coins for the colonies were issued. British West Africa had three denominations struck, the 1/10th Penny, 1/2 Penny, and the Penny. All have a six-pointed star on them and a hole in the middle. The hole was for the natives, so they could string the coins together and then wear them. The Penny, which is the coin we are offering you, was struck at three different Mints, Heaton, Kings Norton, and London. The London Mint is the scarcest and that is the one on offer. 1936 British West Africa Penny struck at the Royal Mint in Uncirculated condition, what more can you ask for?

In the brief reign of King Edward VIII, the only coins to be issued for circulation were for overseas territories. The coin on offer is the Halfpence for British West Africa. The Halfpence is the most difficult denomination to get. These coins were struck in Birmingham at the Kings Norton Mint and carry the KN mintmark. The coins are in Uncirculated condition and the KN is the most difficult of the Halfpennies to find.

Many collectors only go for silver versions of the Edward VIII series, yet many of the Copper and Brass pieces are very low mintage and much underappreciated. But as the mintages were low, they are in short supply. These are private issued pieces but are listed in Colin Bruce’s Unusual World Coins as published by Krause Publications. Edward VIII India Brass pieces have always been very popular because the Prince of Wales spent a long time in India.