Standing Britannia on Edward VII Coins

Penny, halfpenny and farthing all continued during Edward VII's reign, with reverse designs unchanged, except for a "low tide" variety of the 1902 penny.

The major change for Britannia during this reign was the introduction of a completely new design for Britannia, on a florin. She is shown standing for the first time on a British coin, although there had been pattern coins produced by the Matthew Boulton using a standing figure of Britannia but these had never been issued, and the British Trade Dollar which had been issued for the first time in 1901 employed a standing figure of Britannia.

Standing Figure of Britannia on 1902 Florin of Edward VII

The very small date on these florins is placed where it receives considerable wear, because of this there are many surviving Edward VII florins where the date is difficult or impossible to read. This brought to nine the number of denominations upon which Britannia has appeared.

The standing figure of Britannia was to be revived 77 years later for the gold bullion Britannia coins.

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