In the Oxford Atlas they name it Chad.Both I guess are OK. Just like "Gulf of Mexico" or "Gulf of America"
I believe this coin set was made by either Paramount International or Italcambio. Probably Italcambio. They created world-coin commemorative sets for many countries in Africa in the 1960s and 1970s. In fact, some in numismatics looked down on these third-party manufacturers. This created a small controversy in the early 1970s. The controversial coins were called "Supercrowns." Some coin catalogs would not list these coins along with the country for which the coins were made, but instead relegated coins made by Italcambio to a section at the back of the catalog titled, "Controversial Recent Issues." The problem that some people had with these coins was that since the issuing authority itself did not make the coins but subcontracted their minting, marketing and distribution to outside parties, the view was that these coins were not "real" commemorative issues. But really, the objection was that the coins themselves looked like "medals" and were often numbered like medals, as it seems the coins in the OP are. People didn't like that they were large-diameter pieces at 100% or .900 in precious-metal purity. Some of the sets were made for areas that were not even countries, like Biafra. That also made people disregard them. I wonder if the coins in this Chad set have "1 AR" or "Gori & Zucchi" on them as a mint mark? "1 AR" is Unoaerre ("One 'a'-'r' in Italian), an Italian jewler who minted many of these coins back then. "Gori and Zucchi" is the name of Unoaerre's jewlery factory. Its location in Italy was in the town of Arezzo.
The Biafra Set was struck by Valcambi Mint/ The Chad/ Paris Mint. Uganda/ not sure. Recently a full Uganda Proof set realized 32K SFs Biafran ones are in high demand, here in Canada one sold for 24K. Chad probably same ball park. I have all three in GEM proof.
Yes, probably Italcambio was the distributor. Italcambio used Valcambi and the Paris Mint (esp. for gold) to strike many world coins that they then used their distribution channels to market and sell the coins in Europe and North America. Yes, the coins are VERY well-sought after. Although some denigrated Italcambio-marketed coins at the time, it's a very different story now.
I normally do not like "modern coins". Thus I collect 670BC -1918 mostly. But those BIG proof sets from period 1965-70 where beautifully designed, lots of gold/ silver. The South Korean/ Indonesian sets are stunning. The Haitian one too! Sadly they will never make sets like that again. The 74-79 Conservation Series are nice too! I have all 24 AV coins.
I agree. I cannot get over just how great these coins are, design-wise: All the ones you mentioned: Korea, Haiti, Indonesia, Chad, Biafra, Ecuatorial Guinea, and Uganda. There were others, too. They obviously had some very talented, top people working on the design and engraving for these pieces. I really would like to know who the design/engraving team was that worked on these. It appears that the artwork/layout/design/engraving for every one of these country's sets all come from the same team of people. I wonder who the heck they were?? Were they working for Gori & Zucchi? Were they working at the German State Mints (another location where many of the silver coins were made that Italcambio produced)? Were they under contract for Italcambio? I've tried investigating by contacting Unoaerre (they're still around, making jewlery in Italy), Valcambi, and the Paris Mint. No response at all.
Agreed. The Biafran 25 Pounds, the high relief reminds me of 1907 Saint Gaudens Double Eagle. Franklin Mint in 70s had excellent engravers, designers also. Have always wondered if all the sets still exist/ or some where melted down.
Very nice set! Very limited information about these coins. This might be a bit of an off-path route. Have anyone tried to look through Linkedin and see if anyone have worked for these mints? Hopefully someone knows someone...
It seems all the massive Proof sets circa 1967-70 where designed by the same skilled engravers, design experts. Today, we have garbage, stupid themes/ designs/ even "colored" coins. Maybe reason why modern stuff does not sell.
This was the mid-1970s, at the latest, that these people were working on these coins. Most have passed away by now, I'm sure. And if alive, they're probably NOT on LinkedIn. Perhaps it's worth a try, anyway?
And they'll just double-down and make more of the same dross. Something's off about the coins today that are designed and engraved by computers and lasers. Technically, they are precise... but something's off about them, IMO. Why is beauty so unbecoming in our world nowadays?
I'm hoping their apprentices or descendants live to tell some stories. Hard to believe that such legends disappear without a trace. The companies still exist today after all. Found valcambi. Maybe knowing some German or Italian would help with communication? https://ch.linkedin.com/company/valcambi This feels like hunting the name of HR manager when applying for jobs.
I'm a little down right now realizing that everything I loved as a child and young man has been perverted or destroyed. And much of it was perverted and then destroyed. If not for research, nature, science, and coins it would be easy to just give up and join the stampede to oblivion. There are many wonderful things in the world even after decades of destruction but it's very easy to forget.
I can count my blessings or it would be a problem. I have a good support system and a great family. I don't have the Chad mint set but I have many other really beautiful and well done sets from all over the world. I don't remember ever seeing the Chad set so it must be scarce. A lot of my sets came from the midwest and we don't seem to have as wide a selection here. Hard to say but it seemed I saw the more esoteric sets in my travels.
