I purchased a proof set of the 1975 British Virgin Islands which, was actually short a dollar coin, I believe. But the price was right and I had them sent into ANACS. Initially they looked like this raw. Now what is cool is that ANACS had very few graded example of these in their populations. It usually takes some decent experience with a design in order to grade them and develop a standard. So, these being relatively new to them, the grades are very interesting. Let's see the graded results. BTW - I think they worked on them a little as part of the grading. I think the nice results here might encourage others to grade these BVI coins. They are really lovely - More images to follow
This one graded a high PF68 But I like this design. The tail splits through the legend on the bottom, giving it an extra three dimensional effect
On this 50 cent peice, the bird also comes forward of the lettering. It is somewhat unique and very cool, again, adding dimension and it pops. This is also graded PF 68
BTW - these are marked Franklin Mint -FM. I am not sure where the mint marks are, but that is the designation.
I don't think there's an FM mintmark on them (unless I overlooked one). That's just the catalog shorthand. I think in some countries (Bahamas, maybe?) there were non-Franklin Mint issues as well as Franklin Mint proofs in the same years, so they put that "FM" after the date to distinguish them. Not a mintmark so much as a variety abbreviation. What's the ANACS submission fee? And is it higher for World coins than US? If they're cheap enough, and don't discriminate like that, I might send some of my less expensive World stuff to them.
If it was struck by the Franklin Mint there will be their FM logo on it. Ostensibly on the reverse. I see it on all your reverses quite clearly
The mint marks are on the reverse, position varies by denomination. In the case of BVI, I don't think there are any non-FM coins during the period that mint existed. Most countries that utilized the Franklin Mint for set coins had a different mint make the circulation coins*. Apart from 1970 set coins for Bahamas and Jamaica, FM coins should always have the mint mark unless there's an exception I'm forgetting. *The Bahamas and Liberia had FM make proper circulating coins for a couple years, and there are also cases of unsold/extra set coins being released to circulation. As for the coins, they look nice, and the grades make sense. While the initial quality of FM coins is usually very high, some were handled better than others over the years and so lower grades such as the MS65 1c aren't unusual.
I see a pair of symbols there, but I'm having trouble interpreting either of them as "FM" or anything like that. What are they? I mean, I know the coins were struck by the Franklin Mint, but what are those symbols supposed to represent?
no, they tax foriegn coins. It is not terrible https://www.anacs.com/PDFFiles/submissionform.pdf $14 dollars for post 1950 coins, with a 5 coin mimum. That is only $2 more than the economic modern US coins.
when it first came back 1977-FM I was so excite! I was like WOW it is FM! (what is FM)? not quite like FH or FSB
It is an F with an M as the lower crossbar. You might see it clearer on one of mine, under the date on this one
Aha! I see it now. I mean, I saw it before, but I didn't understand the layout of the logo. Never knew that was there. Thanks. Off to go look at my 1973-FM Bahamian coin, now...
The FM mintmark/monogram is readily seen on all the above BVI examples mostly on the reverse next to the birds. Post pictures and glad to help on individual coins or questions. Which Bahamas denomination?