How to Identify the Bermuda Edward VIII Fantasy Crown
A collector's guide to recognizing the gold-plated 1936 Edward VIII Bermuda fantasy crown and telling it from genuine period coinage.
Read the full Bermuda Edward VIII Fantasy Crown encyclopedia entry →
Begin with the portrait. This crown shows Edward VIII in left-facing profile in formal dress. That posture is itself a clue to a fantasy issue: by royal tradition each monarch faces opposite the previous one, and Edward VIII famously preferred to be shown left-facing, but the abdication meant almost no official coins were ever produced. A left-facing Edward VIII crown dated 1936 is therefore almost always a modern imaginative strike.
Check the reverse and date together. The reverse carries a three-masted sailing ship alongside the 1936 date. The single-year date matches the reign, but the ship motif and the "Bermuda" attribution do not correspond to any official Bermuda crown of the era. Read the two sides as a pair: authentic-looking portrait plus a decorative colonial-themed reverse and 1936 date is the signature of this fantasy type.
Assess the metal. The coin is gold-plated, not solid gold. Look for a bright gold surface over a base-metal core; plating can wear thin at the highest relief and along the rim, sometimes revealing a different-colored metal beneath. Weigh and measure it against the standard size of a crown-format coin, but remember that matching the size does not make it official.
Watch for how it is sold. Fantasy pieces are legitimate collectibles when described honestly, but some sellers present them as "rare Edward VIII coins" or imply solid-gold content. Genuine Edward VIII coins are museum-level rarities, so any affordably priced 1936 crown offered openly is a novelty. Compare against reference images of known fantasy issues rather than trusting a listing's claims.
When in doubt, treat authenticity conservatively. Because no official coin of this design exists, there is no "real" version to be confused with, only better- or worse-made novelties. For a purchase of any significance, insist that the item be described as a modern gold-plated fantasy issue and price it as memorabilia, not as period currency or bullion.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell this is a fantasy coin and not an official issue?
No official 1936 Bermuda Edward VIII crown was ever struck, since he abdicated before his coinage was released. A gold-plated crown with his left-facing portrait, a sailing ship and an 1936 date is a modern novelty by definition.
Which way does Edward VIII face on this crown?
He faces left, shown in formal dress. Edward VIII personally preferred a left-facing portrait, and fantasy makers follow that preference, but genuine circulating coins with this portrait were never issued.
Is the gold plating worth extracting or refining?
No. The plating is a very thin gold-colored layer over base metal and has negligible precious-metal content. The piece's only value is as a collectible novelty.
Could someone sell this as a rare original coin?
Yes, and buyers should be cautious. Authentic Edward VIII coins are extreme rarities; an openly sold, affordably priced example is a fantasy issue. Confirm it is described as a modern gold-plated novelty before buying.