1953 Coronation crown

Collectors of British coins will be very familiar with the reverse design of the 1953 Coronation crown (below right) designed by the herald painter Edgar Fuller and modelled by Cecil Thomas. They will perhaps be less familiar with this rare pattern (below left).  It shows the original much more elaborate and heavily ornamented reverse design for the crown which, when it was seen on a trial coin, was considered to be too crowded in appearance.

 

 

Even into December 1952, amendments to simplify the reverse were still being discussed.  Eventually a less congested design was approved, leaving the Royal Mint collection with a rare pattern and one that perhaps does better justice to the power and presence of Edgar Fuller’s concept.