Hi everyone Does anyone know anything about this coin? I have been unable to track it down on the web so I have no idea of its value. Condition VF/EF (a few minor bumps and sctratches) Any info greatly received Valezina - England
Actually, i'd grade it no better than good Fine due to obvious wear. It's a silver coin the same size as the old british 1/2 crown (.925 silver) and minted at the Royal Mint in London (well, it was at that time). Mintage of 200,000 and usually much sought after, especially in higher grades. Your coin is worth around the £20 mark (IMHO) possibly lots more if you were to have a lucky day on ebay. It is a `one year only' type, but it does have smaller sisters in the form of 3, 4 1/2, and 9 piastres all of which depict Good old auntie Vickie wearing a teeny weeny crown similar to the Jubilee head on Brit money 1887 - 1892. It is a nice start to getting hold of a set of these coins. Ian
KM#7, 11.3104g of sterling silver (.9250 fine). I agree with Ian's grading, but I think it's worth a little bit more than he does. The 2006 Standard Catalog of World Coins lists it at $40 F, with a significant jump in higher grades - $150 VF, $300 XF, $500 Unc.
I wouldn't argue with you concerning catalogue prices. Your catalogue is definitely more up to date than mine. However, where KM gets these prices from is beyond me. All I can say for definite is that I bought my example (solid VF) for £15 two years ago. I'd be delighted if its value was now in excess of £80 but I doubt it. Maybe on a very good day on ebay.....? Ian
Ian,the Cypriot currency system prior to 1955 was as follows; 9 Piastres = 1 Shilling,20 Shillings = 1 Pound.This meant that there was 45 Piastres equalling 5/-,so there was 180 Piastres in 1 Pound.The 9 Piastres & the 18 Piastres coins are of the same size as the British 1/- & 2/- coins. Cypriot coins issued prior to 1947 are very difficult to find,especially the Victorian & Edwardian copper & silver.The only Victorian silver coin from Cyprus that turns up is the 9 Piastres (1/-).I found it very difficult to get the little 3 Piastres,but I got one eventually.It must be remembered that Cyprus did have a circulating commemorative coin during the colonial period (1878-1960).This is the very attractive 45 Piastres (5/-) crown,which commemorates 50 years of British rule.I have this coin,but it was a lot of work finding this piece.I regard it as being one of the more attractive British Commonwealth coins. Aidan.
I'm (pleasantly) surprised you found it that difficult to get hold of one Aidan. Demand must indeed be picking up if that's the case. I agree with your sentiments re its attractiveness, but i've always felt it to be somewhat undervalued by collectors. Even with a total mintage of only 80,517 there still isn't enough serious world crown collectors to make it any `rarity'. Another Brit Commonwealth crown that I tend to think of falling into the same category is the Cecil Rhodes crown of Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) of 1953. I got a boxed proof one for £25 in 1998. I'd probably be lucky to get £20 for it on a good day, (not that it's for sale though). Ian
Ian,the Southern Rhodesian Cecil Rhodes crown (5/-) is actually a common coin.I have seen more of these than the 1937 Coronation 5/- from Great Britain.That is a very underrated coin. Aidan.
The 1937 crown has a total mintage of 445,000. That's 3 1/2 times as many as the Cecil Rhodes crown's 125,500. Perhaps the collecting life cycle in NZ has something to do with the `frequency of sighting' you are observing. The mintages however speak for themselves.
