Were the specimens/proofs from Canada issued in the same cellophane wrapping as the PL and business strikes? For example, the 1964 Canada dollar - how were these issued? I'd think that they wouldn't be issued as part of a regular issue set, as the purpose of a specimen is to introduce the coins prior. However, that wouldn't necessarily mean that they didn't come in specimen sets, or that they weren't in "cheaper" cellophane packaging. By the way, is the coin pictured in Numista's site on the '64 a specimen strike, or an early strike DMPL? Site below, click to zoom-in. http://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces455.html Thanks in advance!
They came in the pliofilm pouches ... below http://www.colonialacres.com/product/2364/sale-1964-proof-like-set-rcm-issue-regular-27-95 The Charlton catalogue mentions "Specimen Sets" for 1964, 1965 (6 coins, mirror finish) ... and 1967 (that sweet 7 coin set) ... but I'm fairly sure that the first of the Proof Double Dollar sets came out in 1971? Ummm, not sure if I answered your question, but at least I had fun tracking-down my response! Cheers I have all of the double dollar sets (they rock) Prior to 1971, I merely bought empty boxes and then built my own version of the proof sets ... for examples, below is my homemade 1970 version (click-on the photos ... good times)
For the linked page, I believe that's a proof-like set. Do you know if the Charlton catalogue mentions if they came in the same pliofilm packaging as the others?
I doubt that the Specimen Sets were merely in pliofilm, for they are listed as: 1964 => $3,000 (6, coins one cent through one dollar) 1965 => $3,000 (6, coins one cent through one dollar) 1967 => $950 (7, coins one cent through one dollar + $20) Oh, and these particular items were from a table that listed Specimen Sets from 1858 through 1967 (man, there are some hefty price-tags in that table!!) => 1936 Dot set is a mere $675,000 ... sorry dude (that's all I got)
That's what I figured - it wouldn't make sense to put specimens in film. Please do! It's getting late for me, too.
Short answer is "no". Specimen sets and single strikes were issued privately, usually to VIP guests, in their own cases (usually a red box similar to the older specimen sets). Longer answer, however, is more complicated than that, because specimen dies were also used to strike proof-like coins, which were then placed in pliofilm PL sets. PCGS muddies the waters even more here, because they will sometimes grade a superior strike from a pliofilm PL set (probably struck with specimen dies) and grade it as 'Proof' or 'Specimen'...
Hey => Hi, SPP-O ... long time, no hear Ummm, so the Charlton catalogue does mention Specimen Sets for those three years (1964, 1965, 1967) ... so, you think those were only minted for VIPs? (is that what you're saying?) Curious? => do you, or "anybody" have a photo of these specimen sets? (I hunted around a bit last night, but my alcohol levels were registering chronic-levels, so I wasn't very successful!!) Hey, have you scored an 1893 quarter as nice as mine yet? (yummy!!) => cheers, brother!! How is geo treatin' ya lately? (mining is in a nasty cycle, eh?!!)
Here is my 1965 specimen 1-cent, from such a specimen set. I only collect 1-cent and nickel dollars, so I sold the rest of the set, with the case (which I did not photograph)...
I don't collect 25c coins, but how is this for "yummy"?? I am a research scientist with Geological Survey of Canada, in Ottawa - so mining cycles don't impact my paycheque. So, when times are good, my former classmates are making 4 times my salary, and when times are bad - they are really bad. That said, I prefer job security and my work-life balance of being a poorly paid government scientist.
Oh sorry, that's right => you were all about the error coins ... and yah, that 1976er rocks!! (congrats) ... I still only have a few sweet errors (none as sweet as that baby) oh, and I'm glad to hear that your career choice is paying-off in times like these (well played) cheers
Apologies to the OP for the derailment of this thread... Steve, that 1967 bunny on a 1c planchet is awesome!! If you like Victorian 25c, then check out my friend's PCGS Victorian cent registry. I have held many of these coins in hand, while drinking beers with this collector at coin shows... http://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/alltimeset.aspx?s=96805
From 1968 to 1973, specimen coins were also handed out in black cases, as VIP Specimen sets. I do have a photo of a 1970 VIP set, in the box. These sets are fairly scarce, with 1970 being the most common (about 1000 sets). These coins command a decent price, except the nickel dollar, which was commonly available as a cased single, in a black or maroon clamshell case (subsequent specimen nickel dollar clamshells were blue). Steve, are the coins in your "homemade" 1970 box true specimen strikes, or are they PL strikes?
Was this true for Canadian coins throughout the 20th century (e.g. early 1900s forward)? Or, is that more for "modern" coins (50/60's to today)?
Prior to 1971, I imagine specimens were used for normal business strikes, the 1932 5-cent Far 2, or 1951 5-cent high relief, as examples. Dies were probably expensive and the demand for specimen strikes was low. There is no documentation supporting that, just circumstantial evidence. In 1971 (and 1967), specimen sets were mass produced, so they probably used those dies for their full useable life span.
