Retrospective — Collecting world coins during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, part 4

1980s 

I think it’s fair to say it was during the early half of the 1980s when many world mints began cultivating modern coin collectors perhaps more aggressively than previously seen. This was likely due to the private entities such as the Franklin Mint and John Pinches in the UK who contracted with small countries to produce and retail exceptionally attractive gold, silver, and base metal coins as well as sets during the mid-1970s. It was also about the same time when bullion coins were beginning to make headway in terms of individual ownership and investment. Countries such as Australia, Canada, the United States, and even China designed and produced very attractive one-ounce gold coins though the small British dependency on the Isle of Man was already a decade ahead of these countries. These bold movements in the coin industry greatly increased the level of modern coin issues available and the way coin collectors interacted with the Mints, which also expanded the activities of coin shows.

Two significant additions to British circulation coinage were introduced by the Treasury and Royal Mint with new 20-pence and one-pound coins. First, the 20-pence coin, which the public was told would also be seven-sided similar to the fifty-pence denomination introduced in 1969. Most had assumed the coin would have a diameter larger than the five-pence or old shilling but smaller than the 10-pence coin and fit in between the two values. To the surprise, or consternation, of many, the coin was slightly larger than the new one penny though the design ensured it would not be confused with any other coin in use. The rim was flat and thick, which included incused lettering. This kind of design had not been seen on British coinage since the introduction of copper one and two-penny coins in 1797, often referred to as “cartwheels.” Initially, the public complained the coins, equal in value to about 37 U.S. cents, were just too small though others welcomed the fact they no longer had a pocketful of 10-pence coins weighing them down. The other change involved the removal of one pound banknotes in favour of a coin, and the result was a relatively thick, golden-coloured piece with a diameter slightly smaller than the five-pence coin. In a matter of months, the pound note all but disappeared from circulation because of the simple practicality of these impressively designed coins. The first pound coins included the Machin effigy on the obverse and a detailed depiction of the Royal crest on the reverse. The coin seemed to fit in nicely with the stately designs found on the decimal coinage, which, by then, were over 12 years old and ultimately saw a variety of reverse-side changes representing the four constitutional kingdoms of the UK. In 1985, the Royal Mint introduced a new effigy for the British and other realms where Queen Elizabeth II was head of state. Created by the sculptor Raphael Maklouf, his regal and elegant image of the Queen wearing the George IV diadem was couped lower at the neck and well-received by coin collectors. For the first time, a variation of the British effigy was also introduced, especially for Commonwealth countries and territories.

1980 Canada dollar Arctic Territories: This was the first coin I had purchased directly from the Royal Canadian Mint or, from any Mint. I had picked up a brochure from a jewellery shop that also had a display counter of collector coins and decided to send in the form with a money order in U.S. funds and patiently waited for my purchase to arrive. To my pleasant surprise, the coin arrived within a short amount of time, in a small registered parcel marked with the Royal Canadian Mint insignia and which I had to sign a receipt for — all very official! What I found after opening the box was a coin in its black and red case and just gleaming. Canada hadn’t yet offered Proof-quality coins, so this was referred to as a specimen strike; highly polished surface and relief but a lot of detail and was quite impressive in terms of design and strike. The reverse design depicted a polar bear on floating ice with bold letters above the design. I think it was specifically this coin that I decided to add the new annual silver dollars to my collection, which I did for the next 20 years. The stark difference between this and the earlier Canadian dollar coins recently added in terms of strike and design also encouraged me to add other years from 1935 onwards, which sparked a lifelong love for the Canadian dollar series. Despite having added this coin to my collection years ago, I have, on a number of occasions, bought this same coin again to give as gifts to new coin collectors, hoping they would be as impressed as I was in 1980 — the coin never fails to do this.

1981 United Kingdom 25 New Pence Crown: When it became clear to royal watchers around the world that the heir to the British throne had found his love match, there seemed to be an overall seal of approval from the public both in the UK, Commonwealth, and around the world. Lady Diana Spencer, a young woman born into the British nobility, seemed to fit the bill in terms of family background and suitability as a future Queen consort. After a courtship and engagement of a little more than a year, their glittering wedding at St. Paul’s Cathedral was the crowning glory of their love story — or so it seemed. The Royal Mint commissioned Philip Nathan, a renowned sculptor, to design the commemorative wedding coin. The simplicity and detail of the conjoined portraits of the Royal couple make this one of my all-time favourite British crown coins, and I think many other collectors of British coinage feel the same. Crowns transitioned to 25 new pence after decimalisation, though this was never shown on any of the new crown coins, and was also the last one released by the Royal Mint to be so denominated. Many later commented the likeness of the new Princess bore little resemblance to the bride on her wedding day, but few knew that Lady Diana had been dieting vigorously to ensure she fit into her wedding dress. The first version of this coin I obtained was a cupro-nickel uncirculated piece which had been given to me by family friends who had just returned from visiting London weeks after the royal wedding. They were invited for a late dinner arriving straight from the airport, and the first thing I asked after hugs was, “Did you find any wedding coins?” To my great surprise, I was handed the coin in a blue vinyl holder with a Barclay’s Bank logo. About four years later, I would add the silver Proof version, but I have always thought a pristine traditional Uncirculated strike of just about any coin can’t be beaten, even in base metal.

1985 Canada Gold Maple Leaf: This was one coin that had to be investigated when they were first released in 1979, and once examined just on the weight of their attractive designs and intense golden colour, they were simply irresistible. Still depicting the second or Machin effigy, I bit the bullet and bought one dated 1985 for, I believe, £275 (about $375). This was my first bullion-type coin, but I viewed it as a numismatic acquisition, and it eventually coaxed me into adding other bullion coins in both gold and silver over the years. There was something different about the finely brushed background or surface and polished relief, which hadn’t been seen on other Royal Canadian Mint coins and which made this distinction look attractive. The Maple Leaf has developed into its own collectable category with fractional denominations, two additional effigies, and of course, Proof strikes. The Royal Canadian Mint also released silver versions in 1988, which have also developed into commemorative designs and larger-sized bullion coins, creating an entirely new genre of collectable coins from many different countries.

Variation of effigies — 1985 Barbados Royal Visit $25 crown: This coin caught my eye, if only because of the new elegant effigy. From the 9th October to the 1st November 1985, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visited several countries and territories in the Caribbean aboard the Royal yacht, Britannia. The coin to mark the Barbadian royal visit comprised a wider collection of commemorative coins to mark the occasion, and it was this coin in particular that depicted the Queen in a distinct variation of Raphael Maklouf’s elegant effigy. The Queen is shown with head and shoulders wearing the George IV diadem. The inscription ROYAL VISIT 1985 is seen to the right of the effigy. The coin was itself part of a greater collection of nine coins minted by the Royal Mint for the Queen’s Caribbean Royal visit, and I think it is the nicer one of all the designs.

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