The Patina Collection

Lot 2302    Session 8 (2.30pm Thursday)    The Patina Collection

Estimate $1,200
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $600

CANADA, Edward VIII, unofficial pattern dollar, dated 1937, bare head bust left, by Donald R. Golder, proofs in 925 silver, copper and aluminium bronze. FDC. (120)

The Canada dollar series officially commenced in 1935 to mark the Silver Jubilee of King George V, although two isolated patterns were produced as early as 1911. Canadian Prime Minister, R.B.Bennett declared in October 1934 that the nation would issue a silver dollar for general circulation and the Canadian government let Britain know its intentions. There were many ideas for designs. Canadian Mint Master Campbell anticipated a new obverse portrait and eventually the new Percy Metcalf crowned effigy of the King was used in preference to the McKennel version which had previously appeared on Canada's coinage. The reverse motif was by Emanuel Hahn, featuring the 'Voyageur' design of a native and a fur trader in a canoe - the Indian and the representative of the fur company (Voyageur) paddle a canoe containing two bundles past an island with two ragged trees. The use of this design continued until the end of the large (36mm) diameter currency dollar in the 1980s. The Canada dollar coin was given legal tender status on 1 May, 1935, just five days before George V's Silver Jubilee. 1936 heralded the death of George V and the accession of King Edward VIII and the Royal Canadian Mint would probably have produced pattern coins for the new monarch, but it was still handicapped by its reliance on the British Royal Mint for punches and other tools necessary for coin production. Also this year the Canadian Government asked Britain for permission to strike an obverse uncrowned portrait of the King, a radical departure from previous coinage portraits. Permission to depict the uncrowned portrait was received in Canada in early 1937, but in December 1936, Edward had abdicated and the 1937 dollar featured the uncrowned head of King George VI instead. If circumstances had been different Canada may have produced a 1937 dated silver dollar with the crowned head of Edward VIII (in the style of the George V obverse) before the inevitable of the new uncrowned portrait. It is however fairly certain that the 'Voyageur' reverse design would have graced the Edward VIII dollar. Total mintage 750 sets.