The 1902 Edward VII Crown is a British silver crown from the first year of Edward VII’s reign. It should be identified carefully because ordinary silver crowns, matte proofs, specimens, patterns and the separate gold £5 sovereign are different products.
1902 Edward VII Crown specifications
The ordinary crown is catalogued as .925 sterling silver, weighing 28.28 grams and measuring 38.61 millimetres in diameter. The reverse uses Benedetto Pistrucci’s St George and the Dragon design.
Specialist references commonly report about 256,000 ordinary silver pieces and a separate matte-proof issue of about 15,000. Use the catalogue edition as the citation and do not treat ordinary, proof, specimen and pattern terminology as interchangeable.
How to identify the right issue
Check the date, Edward VII portrait, reverse design, edge, weight, diameter and finish. A matte surface does not automatically prove that a coin is a matte Proof. The 1902 gold £5 sovereign has a different denomination, metal and weight.
How much is it worth?
Value depends on the exact issue, authenticity, grade, surface quality, proof status and provenance. Cleaning, mounting, edge damage and other alterations can reduce demand.
Do not rely on old online or dealer prices as current value. Compare recent completed sales for the same type and grade, recording the sale date, certification, lot condition and buyer’s premium. An isolated asking price does not establish rarity or market value.
Legal tender
Pre-1990 UK crowns were redenominated to 25 pence. Royal Mint guidance explains that legal-tender status does not require shops or banks to accept a commemorative crown.