A one-year colonial key: the 1936 Edward VIII penny — 120,000 struck with “EDWARD VIII KING EMPEROR” before the abdication ended the reign.
History
- Edward VIII reigned only from January to December 1936 — the shortest reign of any British monarch with circulating colonial coinage.
- His only Fiji coin was the 1936 penny: 120,000 issued, legend “EDWARD VIII KING EMPEROR”.
- Fiji’s penny series began in 1934 as a holed cupro-nickel coin — the Edward VIII issue continued the denomination’s format.
Key dates & varieties
- 1936 only — the abdication ended any possibility of further Edward VIII issues.
Specifications
- Penny denomination, 120,000 issued, legend “EDWARD VIII KING EMPEROR”.
Collector notes
- Short-reign premium: one of the few Edward VIII circulating types from any colony.
- Verify the legend and portrait style — the 1936 date alone doesn’t make a penny Edward VIII.