The Year Of Three Monarchs Silver Crown set

The death of King George V in January 1936 saw his son and heir Edward VIII (soon to be better known as the Duke of Windsor) ascend to the throne. It was immediately apparent that the "playboy prince" as he was widely regarded, did not have his heart in the royal role. Instead, his heart was dedicated to the woman who would eventually become his wife: his mistress, the still-married American divorcee Wallis Simpson then finalising her second divorce. The British people were clearly scandalised by his intended marriage — at a time when divorced people were not accepted at court. The union would have seen the Government resign. Faced with this national disaster, King Edward abdicated, the only British monarch to voluntarily do so. He continued his life as the Duke of Windsor, enduring various indignities and controversies (including alleged support of Hitler and his Nazi party). His successor, Prince Albert Frederick Arthur George, (Queen Elizabeth's father) taking the name George VI for the sake of continuity, was crowned in 1937. He proved an important unifying symbol for the British people during their many sufferings during World War II, especially earning their respect when he and wife Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) refused to leave London despite the constant Nazi bombardments. They frequently visited and consoled those in stricken areas. His shy, somewhat awkward and reticent manner proved traumatic when he was so rapidly and unexpectedly thrust into the throne. He needed the help of a speech therapist to overcome a persistent stammer so he could get though public appearances, always a major trial for him. King George V, father of both, might well have seen something like this coming; dutiful, stern and strict, he had always regarded Edward as unworthy of the throne, through his lack of proper respect for it. He had, in fact, expressed the wish that his second son Albert (later George VI) would become king — an eventuality he could never have foreseen. George V, grandson of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, had been second in succession to his brother, also named George — who died of influenza. George V thus became king in 1910 and was well regarded, especially by the middle classes for whom he had consistently shown empathy. He also actively supported the troops in World War I and was a dedicated sovereign. (Yes, quite a few Alberts and Georges there!) This exclusive triple set of One Crown coins celebrates all three monarchs, affording collectors and royalty enthusiasts the opportunity to reflect on their significantly different attributes. These matched numismatic triumphs are a generous 38.6mm in diameter, created in 999 silver, the highest available purity. Each features the current portrait of Queen Elizabeth on the obverse, with kings George V, Edward VIII and George VI portrayed in finely crafted golden insets. It is interesting to note the very close resemblance between the profiles of Edward and George VI.