Sixpence, 1907, 19mm. Obv: EDWARDVS VII DEI GRA BRITT OMN REX, portrait right. Rev: central  SIX PENCE 1907, with wreath topped by crown. S3983, C:E76D-035.

Son of Victoria, he was born in 1841 (Buckingham Place). He married Alexandra of Denmark, breaking the German mate tradition dating to George I. They had six children. He was of the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and Windsor. He died in 1910, at Buckingham Palace.

The stresses of Pax Britannica became apparent and England was challenged on the global stage. A strengthening Germany emerged as major European player, offering potential military challenges. Industrialism spread and the United States emerged as a growing economic power. Britain was on the threshold of losing the world dominance she enjoyed for the better part of the 19th century.

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One penny, 1909, 31mm. Obv: EDWARDVS VII DEI GRA:BRITT:|OMN:REX FID::IND:IMP, BEARDED PORTRAIT RIGHT. Rev: ONE | PENNY 1909, seated Britania. S:3990, C:E71D-005.

1 Shilling, 1928, 23mm. Obv: GEORGIVS V DEI GRA BRITT OMN REX, portrait left. Rev: FID DEF IND IMP ONE SHILLING. S:4039, C:G5SH-125.
The coin: One penny, 1914. Obv: GEORGIVS V DEI GRA:BRITT:|OMN:REX FID:DEF:IND:IMP:, bearded portrait left. Rev: ONE | PENNY 1914, seated Britania. S:4051, C:G51D-025.

George was born in 1865 in London. He married Mary of Teck (a great grand daughter of George III) and they had six children. George anglicized family names and titles and renamed his lineage the House of Windsor.

This was a hard time for Britain and the world at large. England was a major participant in the First World War, allied with France, the US and others against a German-Austrian led alliance. War ended victoriously for the British alliance, but resulted in a significant shift of global power, bringing the US to the world stage in a major way. Russia witnessed the Bolshevik Revolution, bringing threats of communism to the forefront of concern among the western democracies. The reign ended during a global depression.

Edward Vlll reigned 1936, coins rare to non-existant

Two shillings (florin), 1951, 28mm. Obv: GEORGVS VI D;|G:BR:OMN:REX, portrait left. Rev: :FID:+:DEF: TWO SHILLINGS 1951, crown on central design, braketed by G R. S:4107, C:G6FL-155.

He is a son of George V and was born in 1895 in Norfolk. He came to the throne in 1936 when his brother abdicated, to marry for love a divorced commoner. George married Elizabeth and they had two daughters. He died in 1952 in Norfolk and was buried at Windsor.

His reign started during the Depression and continued through WWII. He and his family stayed in London during the blitz, endearing themselves to Londoners and being a pillar of strength for the English during their ‘darkest hour.' After the war the British empire began to unravel, with India gaining independence in 1947, and continuing through the 1950s and 1960s as other colonies gained independence.

Two pounds, 1989, 28mm. Obv: ELIZABETH.II.DEI. | GRATIA.REGINA.F.D. TWO POUNDS, crowned portrait right. Rev: TRICENTENIARY OF | THE BILL OF RIGHTS, crown on horizonal mace, dated 1989 under 1689. S:4312.

"By the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Island, and of Her other Realms and Territories,, Queen, Head of the Commonwealth and Defender of the Faith." She is the daughter of George VI and was born in London in 1926. She married Philip of Greece and Denmark, and they have four children.