Let's see those early Canadian Nickels Here are three old Canadian five cent issues which are in so-so condition. There are no holes or bends though. Something I never noticed before was the fact King George and King Edward were looking at each other. Show what ya got...
With I believe one exception, consecutive British monarchs always do, as the portraits alternate between right-facing and left-facing. If I recall correctly, the exception was an early 20th Century king who liked the side of his face that would have been hidden if he had followed the normal rotation, so he changed it. Perhaps Clinker can post some trivia on the subject, or else maybe Aidan I can clarify the point for us.
I believe they still do. Each monarch usually faces the opposite direction as his/her predecessor. That George V and George VI face the same way can likely be explained by Edward VIII, who abdicated before too many coins with his mug on them could be punched out. Aidan can correct me if I'm off the mark here. Now, on to the fish scales... Out of the ones I have, these two are the best:
Check out my posts on Canadian coins LOL will be posting some more later today I hope :smile De Orc :hug:
You are correct, Edward VIII did break the pattern of alternating the facing of portraits, and his portrait did face left. However he abdicated before anything other than trial patterns and medals were produced I think... circulation pieces were going to be made and released after his coronation in 1937, but he abdicated before that happened. George VI continued the alternating pattern as if Edward VIII had kept it and had his portrait face left even though Edward VIII would have also faced left (had any circulating coinage with his portrait actually been produced of course). In 1952 Elizabeth II had her portrait facing right. Assuming the current heir apparent, Charles, Prince of Wales, is still alive when Elizabeth II dies, presumably his portrait will face left (if he keeps his birth name as regal name, he will be Charles III). Since the beginning of the 20th century: Victoria, 1837-1901, facing left Edward VII, 1901-1910, facing right George V, 1910-1936, facing left Edward VIII, 1936, facing left (though no circulation pieces were ever produced; just medals and patterns) George VI, 1936-1952, facing left Elizabeth II, 1952-present, facing right
Troodon,on the British pattern coins of King Edward VIII,his portrait actually faces left.He considered the left side of his face to be a lot better than the right side of his face,which is why the tradition of British monarchs' portraits on coins changing directions was broken.The tradition actually began with King George II,whose portrait faces left,whereas,King George I's portraits faces right. Once Prince Charles becomes King,he has indicated that he will change his name to become King George VII. Edited to conform to forum rules Aidan.
Actually was in process of corrected myself while you posted I guess lol... that is correct, Edward VIII's portrait faced left. George VI continued the pattern as if Edward VIII had kept it. Hadn't heard that Prince Charles had already announced he will go by George VII. Don't follow news about the royal family much I suppose. Any particular reason he will not choose to go by his birth name? Just curious.
George is actually one of Prince Charles' middle names.King George VI's name was originally Albert.Queen Elizabeth II is the first monarch since Queen Anne (ruled 1701/2-14) to use her own name as a reign name. Aidan.
