A Quick Look at a 1907 Edward VII Penny

Coin Patrol
31 Jul 202103:45
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this video, the focus is on a special 1907 Edward VII penny, a generous gift from Dan, known as 'pre-decimal Dan.' This penny stands out due to its exceptional condition compared to the typical wear seen on circulating Edward VII pennies from this era. The detailed examination highlights the coin's design features, including the clarity of the king's hair and beard. Specifications such as its weight, diameter, and composition (95% copper, 4% tin, 1% zinc) are discussed, along with a brief historical context following Queen Victoria's death. The video also delves into the coin's Latin inscriptions and invites viewer opinions on the use of Latin on coins. A comparison is made with previous coin designs to illustrate changes over time, enriching the narrative with historical insights and fostering a deeper appreciation for this particular coin.

Takeaways
  • 👑 The coin in discussion is a 1907 Edward VII penny, sent by Dan Pre-Decimal.
  • 🏅 The penny is in very good condition, with clear details such as the king's hair and beard.
  • 🔍 Circulating 1907 pennies are typically in poor condition due to wear and tear.
  • 📏 The coin's specifications include a plain edge, 9.4 grams weight, 31mm diameter, and bronze composition.
  • 🏭 It was minted in London, England, likely at the Tower Hill Mint, with a massive mintage of 47.3 million.
  • 🔩 The bronze composition is 95% copper, 4% tin, and 1% zinc.
  • 👑 After Queen Victoria's death in 1901, the Royal Mint planned for new coins with updated designs.
  • 🎨 The reverse design changed from 1894 to 1895, with the removal of the ship and lighthouse.
  • 🖋️ George William De Sauls redesigned the coin and also designed the bust of Edward VII.
  • 📜 The Latin inscriptions on the coin translate to 'Edward VII, by the grace of God, King of all the Britons, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India'.
  • 🤔 The video script ends with a question about the use of Latin on coins and whether it should be replaced with English or maintained for tradition.
Q & A

  • What is the specific coin being discussed in the video?

    -The coin being discussed is an Edward the Seventh penny from 1907.

  • Who sent the coin to the speaker?

    -The coin was sent by Dan, referred to as 'pre-decimal Dan'.

  • What is the condition of the 1907 penny shown in the video?

    -The 1907 penny is in very good condition, with clear details such as the king's hair and beard.

  • What is the typical condition of circulating Edward VII pennies from 1907?

    -Typically, 1907 pennies or all Edward VII pennies in circulation are in poor condition due to wear and tear.

  • What are the specifications of the 1907 Edward VII penny?

    -The penny weighs 9.4 grams, has a diameter of just under 31 millimeters, and is made of a bronze alloy composed of 95% copper, 4% tin, and 1% zinc.

  • Where was the 1907 Edward VII penny minted?

    -It was minted in London, England, likely at the Tower Hill Mint.

  • What is the mintage figure for the 1907 Edward VII penny?

    -The mintage figure for the 1907 Edward VII penny is 47.3 million, making it relatively common for the period.

  • What changes were made to the coin design after the death of Queen Victoria?

    -After Queen Victoria's death, the royal mint introduced new designs. The reverse design was modified, removing the ship and lighthouse, and the bust of Edward VII was added.

  • Who designed the modified Britannia and the bust of Edward VII?

    -George William de Saulles designed the modified Britannia and the bust of Edward VII.

  • What does the Latin inscription on the coin say?

    -The Latin inscription on the coin reads 'EDWARD VII DEI GRA REX FID DEF IND', which translates to 'Edward the Seventh, by the grace of God, King of the Britons, and Emperor of India, Defender of the Faith'.

  • What is the speaker's opinion on the Latin inscription on coins?

    -The speaker seems to appreciate the tradition of using Latin on coins but also poses a question to the audience about whether they prefer Latin or English on modern coins.

Outlines
00:00
🏅 Examination of a 1907 Edward VII Penny

This paragraph introduces a 1907 Edward VII penny, highlighting its good condition, detailed features such as the king's hair and beard, and contrasts it with a more worn example. It discusses the coin's specifications, including the monarch's portrait, plain edge, weight, diameter, material composition (bronze with specific percentages of copper, tin, and zinc), and minting location (likely London's Tower Hill Mint). The paragraph also mentions the coin's commonality due to a high mintage figure of 47.3 million.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Edward VII Penny
The Edward VII Penny refers to the one-cent coin from the United Kingdom that was minted during the reign of King Edward VII. This particular coin discussed in the video is from 1907 and is notable for its good condition, which is rare for circulating coins from that era. The coin features the portrait of King Edward VII on the obverse and the traditional Britannia on the reverse.
💡Pre-Decimal
Pre-Decimal refers to the period in the United Kingdom before the currency was decimalized in 1971. During this time, the British pound was divided into 20 shillings, and each shilling was divided into 12 pence. The Edward VII Penny mentioned in the video is an example of pre-decimal currency, which has since become a collectible item for numismatists and history enthusiasts.
💡Condition
In numismatics, the term 'condition' refers to the state of preservation of a coin. It is a critical factor in determining the value of a coin, with uncirculated or well-preserved coins generally being more valuable. The video highlights the good condition of the 1907 Edward VII Penny, which is atypical for a coin of its age that has been in circulation.
💡Specifications
Specifications in the context of coins refer to the technical details that define a coin's physical characteristics, such as weight, diameter, material composition, and design elements. These specifications are important for both the minting process and for collectors to authenticate and grade coins.
💡Bronze
Bronze is an alloy consisting primarily of copper, usually with about 12% tin and often with the addition of other metals such as aluminum, manganese, or in the case of the Edward VII Penny, 4% tin and 1% zinc. It has been used for coins throughout history due to its durability and attractive appearance. The composition of bronze for the Edward VII Penny is highlighted in the video, indicating its composition of 95% copper, 4% tin, and 1% zinc.
💡Mintage
Mintage refers to the number of coins produced by a mint or over the course of the coin's production run. A high mintage number indicates that a coin is common, while a low mintage number suggests rarity. The Edward VII Penny mentioned in the video had a massive mintage of 47.3 million, making it a common coin for the period.
💡Royal Mint
The Royal Mint is the official mint of the United Kingdom, responsible for the production of coins and medals for the country. It has a long history, with its origins dating back to the 9th century. The Royal Mint is known for its high-quality minting and the production of coins that circulate throughout the UK and its overseas territories.
💡Design Changes
Design changes refer to the modifications made to the appearance of coins over time, often to reflect historical events, artistic preferences, or technological advancements. In the video, design changes are discussed in the context of the transition from Queen Victoria's reign to King Edward VII's reign, which necessitated new coin designs.
💡Latin Inscriptions
Latin inscriptions on coins are the use of the Latin language for the text and legends on coins. This tradition has been followed for centuries, especially in the United Kingdom, where Latin was used on coins to denote the monarch's title and other significant declarations. The use of Latin on coins is a nod to historical practices and maintains a sense of continuity with the past.
💡Numismatics
Numismatics is the study or collection of currency, including coins and paper money, from ancient to modern times. It involves not only the collection aspect but also the historical, cultural, and artistic significance of these items. Numismatists often value coins for their rarity, condition, and historical context.
💡George William De Sauls
George William De Sauls was a British sculptor and designer of coins for the Royal Mint. He is known for his work on the coinage of King Edward VII, including the design of the king's bust and the modified Britannia design. His initials 'D E S' can be found on the Edward VII Penny, indicating his role in its design.
Highlights

Introduction of a 1907 Edward VII penny in very good condition.

The penny was sent by 'Dan Pre-Decimal' and is appreciated for its condition.

Most 1907 pennies are in poor condition, but this one has clear details like the king's hair and beard.

Comparison of the condition of the penny with a typical worn one.

Specifications of the coin: Edward VII as the monarch, plain edge, weight, diameter, and bronze material.

The coin was minted in London, likely at the Tower Hill Mint.

Massive mintage figure of 47.3 million, making it common for the period.

Composition of the bronze: 95% copper, 4% tin, and 1% zinc.

Background on the change in coin design following Queen Victoria's death in 1901.

The Royal Mint's decision to keep the reverse design from the 1890s to avoid public discontent.

Changes in the design from 1894 to 1895, including the removal of the ship and lighthouse.

The 1894 design featured Leonard Charles Wyon's depiction of Britannia with a lighthouse and a ship.

The 1895 design was modified by George William De Sauls, removing the ship and lighthouse.

George De Sauls also designed the bust of Edward VII.

Inscriptions on the coin include abbreviated Latin phrases signifying 'Edward VII, by the Grace of God, King of all the Britons, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India'.

Discussion on the use of Latin on coins and whether it should be replaced with English.

Closing remarks and thanks to Dan for sending the coin, with an invitation for viewer feedback.

Transcripts

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Related Tags
Coin CollectingEdward VII1907 PennyPre-Decimal CurrencyNumismatic HistoryRoyal MintBronze CompositionTower Hill MintVictorian EraBritish Tradition