Bahamas: 1974-FM copper-nickel proof 10-cents, bonefish

Discussion in 'World Coins' started by lordmarcovan, Dec 26, 2025 at 4:08 AM.

  1. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic numismatist Moderator

    Bahamas: 1974-FM copper-nickel proof 10-cents, bonefish

    PCGS PR69 DCAM. Cert. #39640166.

    Numista-9224. Krause-Mishler-61.

    Diameter: 23.50 mm (scalloped, with 12 notches). Weight: 5.54 g. Mintage: 94,000.

    Some may wonder why I spent nearly fifty dollars to certify this piece, which was worth less than two dollars as of the time I acquired it. I have always loved the design and odd shape, but more importantly, my family lived aboard a forty-foot trimaran sailboat in the Bahamas in 1974, and we had many island-hopping adventures. My mother would give me pocket change, and I fondly remember the Bahamian coins of the time. In Nassau I could buy a comic book with one of these "bonefish" ten-cent pieces. (I even recall that one of those was a Disney comic about Scrooge McDuck.)

    So this coin was added to my collection for purely sentimental reasons. Of course this particular piece is a Franklin Mint proof, and not a circulation issue like the ones I spent as a kid.

    Despite the orientation in the PCGS images, the side with the bonefish is the reverse.

    Ex-eBay, purchased raw in the original mint cellophane.

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    005600
     
    lordmarcovan, Dec 26, 2025 at 4:08 AM
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  3. The Meat man

    The Meat man Supporter! Supporter

    Cool coin!

    When we lived in the Bahamas, one morning (while waiting for breakfast) I tried seeing how many of these dimes I could balance on top of each other. I managed five, which will always remain one of my great life achievements. :D

    DSC_0707d.JPG
     
    The Meat man, Dec 26, 2025 at 8:11 AM
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  4. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic numismatist Moderator

    I love it!!! :)

    Must’ve taken a steady hand indeed. I’m not sure I could have done that with five round coins, let alone scalloped ones!

    PS- especially since we lived aboard a boat. Fuhgeddaboutit!
     
    lordmarcovan, Dec 26, 2025 at 8:13 AM
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  5. The Meat man

    The Meat man Supporter! Supporter

    Actually the scallops made it just a tiny bit easier, since depending on orientation they could offer a very slight two-point surface contact (keeping the coins from just rolling off the edge.)

    Still it took quite a few tries, and then only stayed upright for a couple minutes. Long enough at least to get photo proof. ;)
     
    The Meat man, Dec 26, 2025 at 8:28 AM
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  6. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic numismatist Moderator

    Brilliant. I believe you, but that image seems just unlikely enough that others might suggest it was AI-generated. I can see why it was a proud accomplishment! :)
     
    lordmarcovan, Dec 26, 2025 at 8:32 AM
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  7. Heavymetal

    Heavymetal Supporter! Supporter

    I pick these from my LCS junk box here in Florida. I have the 1974 still in plastic packaging back home. IMG_2544.jpeg IMG_2546.jpeg
     
    Heavymetal, Dec 26, 2025 at 8:49 AM
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  8. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic numismatist Moderator

    Glad I’m not the only one who likes them, despite their low catalog value.
     
    lordmarcovan, Dec 26, 2025 at 8:50 AM
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  9. TheGame

    TheGame Well-Known Member

    I love Bahamian coins! While I normally only collect circulation coins, the Bahamas is one place where I go out of my way to get all the set coins as well. Here are a few of my more interesting 10 Cents:

    1969, Proof

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    While not rare in absolute or even relative terms, these 1969 proofs stick out as the only mass-produced proof set made before the Franklin Mint took over those duties. Unfortunately, they aren't as high quality as the FM coins are.

    1973, Circulation

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    This Royal Mint-made coin is a unique type, as the FM set coins of the time left out the first 'THE' in the legend.

    1977-FM, Special Uncirculated

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    One of the lowest-mintage coins in my collection, with 713 minted.

    1984-FM, Proof

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    The second to last proof issue by the Franklin Mint, and the one with the lowest mintage, at 1036.

    1992, Mint Set

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    After the Franklin Mint quit coin production, the Royal Mint took over set production for the Bahamas, although these would be more sporadic than the FM sets. Mint sets were produced in 1989, 91, 92, 96, and 2000, and proof sets were produced in 1989 and 1998. This coin comes from a 1992 mint set, a date which most likely wasn't made for circulation for this denomination.​
     
    TheGame, Dec 26, 2025 at 10:20 AM
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