1937 Edward VIII sovereign makes $1.3m

A gold coin bearing the image of King Edward VIII before his abdication has sold for 1m pounds (US$1.3m), setting a new record for a British coin. The coin shows Edward, the uncle of Queen Elizabeth II, before he relinquished the throne in 1936 to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson.

The 22-carat gold coins were never released to the public. The Edward VIII sovereign is thought to be one of just two examples in private ownership, with the remaining four examples in museums.