2019-01-22 Tue

Edward VII The eldest son of Queen Victoria took over the British throne on 22nd January 1901. His period was named as Edwardian era which was the golden age for the upper classes in Europe.

Edward was born on 9th November 1841in Buckingham Palace. As the eldest son of the British sovereign, he has automatically created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester on December 1841. Besides this, he also held the titles of Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Duke of Saxony.

He was also referred to as the ‘Uncle of Europe’ because he was related to most of the European royalty. Edward VII was the first English Monarch to visit Russia. His administration glorified the monarchy which was deemed after his father’s death. Edward VII established a good foreign policy and he paved the way to Anglo-French Entente cordiale in 1904.

During the reign, he issued various coinage minted with his portrait. The above-shown half Pice was issued when India was under British rule and King Edward VII was the Emperor of India. The obverse of this coin depicts the bust of Edward VII and a non-continuous legend ‘Edward VII King and Emperor’. The reverse of the coin depicts the denomination half Pice with India and date below it. A floral pattern is around this.

He died in 1910 in Buckingham Palace and was succeeded by King George V his second son.

Image Source: Classical Numismatic Gallery