Edward VIII threepences - did any slip into circulation? [solved]

Hello everyone,

Several books state that a few Edward VIII pattern threepences, sent to a vending machine company for testing, inadvertently entered circulation. Please, can anyone say if this is true, or how likely it is?

Also, if anyone has a copy of 'The Proposed Coinage of King Edward VIII' by G P Dyer, which is difficult to obtain, would they be kind and tell me if it says anything on the matter? Thank you very much.

With my regards,
Duncan Graham

Here are a few of the references:

… three pence pieces dated 1937, showing the bust of Edward VIII, facing left, were discovered in circulation.

Facts and Fictions about Coins by Leon Lindheim 1967

The Royal Mint struck a few complete sets of Edward VIII coinage for English institutions. Possibly twelve of the 12 sided, brass threepence pieces were released to vending machine companies for testing purposes. Most were returned, but a few are in private collections. The Royal Mint classifies them as patterns.

Coins: Questions and Answers by Carl Allenbaugh and Robert M Poeschl, 1978, p. 184

[1937]-dated Edward VIII threepences, struck in 1936 ready for issue, were melted after Edward's abdication. A few, however, escaped into circulation ...

British Coins Market Values, 1999 edition, p. 113

It is very true.

Any that have turned up have been sold at auction for a fortune (especially in Pounds Sterling!).

Aidan.

Not forgetting a famous proof set including this Halfcrown

Quote: "BCNumismatics"​It is very true.
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​Any that have turned up have been sold at auction for a fortune (especially in Pounds Sterling!).
​
​Aidan.

​Dear Aidan,

Thank you for your kind help. I asked because a coin dealer I contacted asserted that they did not circulate, saying:

They were not “circulated” via slot machines: they were sent to a slot machine manufacturing company for testing.
According to Royal Mint records, a total of just 12 of these coins were struck for experimental purposes only, i.e. they did not circulate.

Perhaps I misunderstood him and he meant only that the threepences did not enter mass circulation given there were only twelve of them.

With my regards,
Duncan.

Quote: "Moneytane"​Not forgetting a famous proof set including this Halfcrown
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​Thank you, Moneytane, for the beautiful photograph.

Duncan.

I've attached photos of the pages that cover the 3d in Dyer's book. It's well worth getting if you're interested in Edward VIII's coinage



You can find the Royal Mint Museum's complete collection of Edward VIII patterns here: Search the Royal Mint Museum collection

I was lucky to get to handle a pattern penny a couple of years ago. Definitely something I never thought I'd get to do.

Quote: "cmaclean"​I've attached photos of the pages that cover the 3d in Dyer's book. It's well worth getting if you're interested in Edward VIII's coinage
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​
​
​You can find the Royal Mint Museum's complete collection of Edward VIII patterns here: Search the Royal Mint Museum collection
​
​I was lucky to get to handle a pattern penny a couple of years ago. Definitely something I never thought I'd get to do.
​

​Thank you so much; that is so very helpful. Wonderful to be able to handle the Edward VIII pattern penny.

Thank you again.

With my regards,
Duncan.