1902 Coronation of King Edward VII & Queen Alexandra Souvenir Medal

For sale is a 1902 Coronation of King Edward VII & Queen Alexandra Souvenir Silver Medal. 

 

Coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra - unofficial souvenir medal (1902) 

The coronation of Albert-Edward Prince of Wales took place on the 9th August 1902 over eighteen months after the death of his mother, Queen Victoria. Albert-Edward was the longest heir-apparent (59 years) in the history of the British monarchy and on his coronation took the name of King Edward VII. As both a prince and king, he was very popular with the public and the establishment despite his relatively scandalous lifestyle for which he had acquired the nickname ‘Prince of Pleasure’. As Prince of Wales, his mother saw to it that Albert-Edward had no real responsibilities in politics and as king he actively took on an involved role in foreign diplomacy, being popular abroad as well as fluent in both French and German helped too. His reign saw many changes socially and economically and was considered a ‘golden-age’ for the more well-off in society. Edward VII passed away on the 6th May 1910 and was succeeded by his second son as King George V.

 

This miniature medal would have been available for sale as a child’s souvenir and worn on the day of the coronation. The medal’s obverse shows a conjoined portrait of King Edward and Queen Alexandra with the text KING EDWARD VII – QUEEN ALEXANDRA. The reverse side shows the royal monogram ER VII (Edwardus Rex VII) and text that reads TO COMMEMORATE THE CORONATION 1902.

 

Royalty events such as coronations and jubilees were commemorated with a vast range of souvenir merchandise, more so since Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee of 1897. Badges, medals and items in porcelain/pottery were exceedingly popular as attested by the large quantities that have survived.

 

This will be sent via Royal Mail 1st class signed for and dispatched within two working days.