I really like this set. 1977 Ethiopia Proof Set. Mintage 11,724. 1-50 Cents or Santeems. Interesting that the regular circulation coins are minted either by the British Royal Mint or the Berlin Mint while the proof coins are minted by the Franklin Mint. Also they are dated EE1969 while the mint package is dated 1977.
yeah the LION is a masterpiece!! It was engraved by Stuart Devlin, who was born in Australia in 1931. He has spent the last 4 decades or so working in London. I copied this info: Stuart Devlin has designed coins for 36 countries throughout the world, including Singapore, Malaysia, and the Cayman Islands. He has designed hundreds of commemorative medallions. He designs furniture, interiors, jewelry, and commission pieces of all types, including trophies, clocks, centerpieces, candelabra, bowls, and insignia.
As a matter of fact you can get one here http://www.differencecoin.com/catalog/themes/wildlife/95_lion_royal_victory.html
I got the Type III; and I heard a rumor that there is a Type IV. Not sure though... have to check my coins. If I get a chance I will post all my Type I, II, III 68 Peso.
Speaking of NZ coins. I had a family member pass away and I received more of her coins today. She lived in Samoa in the 50's for a couple of years and I guess back then they used New Zealand coins as currency so she had a few left over from that. Along with a few coins from her travels around the world.
That's neat. It's too bad about the family member, but it's a neat way to get coins. My collection actually started with coins my dad and great uncle brought back from the army, along with coins my grandparents saved from when they owned a bar. You never know what you'll find in collections like that.
Some recent pickups from two auctions some 5000 miles (and only a few days) apart. Other than the sleep deprivation required to make it to both sales I think I did quite well. Hupeh 1909-11 Dragon Dollar: by far the best quality Dragon dollar I've owned Thailand 1908 Essai Baht: harshly cleaned but an exceptionally rare coin: Australia 1935 Proof Half Penny: some light toning but likewise a very rare piece with only 126 pieces sold by the Melbourne mint: