Recently, I was able to acquire several commemorative coronation mugs stretching from 1902 to 1953. Except for Charles III, these mugs represent every British monarch since Queen Victoria. The three more recent mugs were family pieces, while the earliest two came from eBay.
Edward VII
The first of these mugs is from Edward VII, the son of Queen Victoria. He was king from January 1901 until 1910, and he lent his name to the Edwardian era. This mug was made for his coronation in 1902. Interestingly, when a light is shined through the base, Edward’s image appears.
George V
George V was Edward VII’s son, and was on the throne from 1910 to 1936. Most importantly, he was king during World War I. He (famously) looked very similar to his cousins Nicholas II of Russia and Wilhelm II of Germany, who also reigned during World War I. George V’s mug prominently features his wife, Mary of Teck.
Edward VIII
To me, Edward VIII is the most interesting mug in this collection. Edward VIII became king following his father’s death in 1936. He choose to abdicate soon afterward so he could marry American Wallis Simpson. Because of this, he was only king for less than a year. His coronation scheduled for May 12, 1937 never took place, though mugs and other memorabilia produced ahead of time still survive.
George VI
George VI’s coronation took place the day Edward’s had been planned, May 12, 1937. Unlike the other mugs, this one shows a full family. George V, Queen Elizabeth, and their two daughters Elizabeth (later Elizabeth II) and Princess Margaret are shown. George VI would be on the throne until his death in 1952.
Elizabeth II
The last of the mugs is for Elizabeth II, whose reign lasted from 1952 until 2022. Her reign is the longest in British history, and one of the longest in world history. This mug was for her coronation on June 2, 1953.
Andrew J. Bramlett 