Trivia - Proof Coins

Steve,I can guess that 'Prova' can mean both 'Proof' & 'Pattern' in Portuguese & in Brazilian-Portuguese.

Aidan.

 

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Would anyone happen to know when the first proof coins were minted? I was somewhat sure that it was the British that managed to create the first world's proof coins with their new minting technologies around 1800, which pretty soon revolunized most of the European minting techniques and soon the rest of the world.

 

This is the best that I can come up with

Source Allgold of Sevenoaks
Although there were earlier attempts at introducing £2 and £5 coins the modern introduction really only began in 1820 when the first proof pattern coins were struck. Both of these had Pistrucci’s famous St George reverse and were of the same design as the first sovereign introduced in 1817. These coins were struck in extremely low numbers and were not intended for circulation

De Orc

 

I believe you nailed that one De Orc!

Clinker

 

Steve,there weren't any gold 2 & 5 Pounds pieces in 1820.The first of these are dated 1823,but these were circulation pieces.It is the 1826 issue that was a Proof-only issue.The similar situation applies to the 1831 issue.

Aidan.

 

Doug,in 1653,England was still using hammered coins,which finally ended in around 1662.The exceptions were the famous English Oliver Cromwell coins of 1656 & 1658.Technically,the Oliver Cromwell coins were pattern coins,but some did circulate.

Aidan.

 

Clinker: I've said this before. I usually print out all your informative stories or notations about coins. I'll been putting them in a 3 ring binder. It is getting full. I'm spending a lot of money on paper and printer cartridges. There fore are you planning on continuing these educational articles? Where are you getting your information and mostly WHY? If I put all this together into a book form, sell it for millions, will you want a cut of the profits?

 

Doug,the English 1651 1/2 Crown has 2 shields on the reverse,& one shield on the obverse.This coin issue is commonly known as 'Breeches Money',because the reverse design looks like a pair of Oliver Cromwell's breeches.The undated King Charles II hammered coinage was issued between 1660 & 1662 in 3 coinages.

The Crown you must be talking about was Thomas Simon's famous 'Petition Crown'.

Aidan.

 

Aiden please do try to read the posts!! I never said that there was a £2 or £5 Gold coin produced in 1820

Although there were earlier attempts at introducing £2 and £5 coins the modern introduction really only began in 1820 when the first proof pattern coins were struck. Both of these had Pistrucci’s famous St George reverse and were of the same design as the first sovereign introduced in 1817. These coins were struck in extremely low numbers and were not intended for circulation



De Orc

 

Steve,you are talking about Pattern coins there,not Proofs of circulation coinage.Pattern coins are not always struck in Proof.Some of them are Proof-like.The New Hebrides 1967 nickel 10 & 20 Francs Essais are Proof-like.How do I know? I have got a pair of them,which aren't for sale,as they're British Commonwealth coins.

Aidan.

 

Once again Aiden your ability NOT TO READ WHAT IS THERE ASTOUNDS ME !!

really only began in 1820 when the first proof pattern coins


Please try to read what I have put in the context it comes in and not as you wish it to appear.

De Orc :loud:

 

In my country Warsaw Mint produce two kinds of "proof" coins: "proof" as the kind of finishing, called in my country "lustrzanka" (marked in every katalog as L) - it means "mirror coin", taken from polished background and "proof" as the trial strike (model, muster, essai, prueba) named and extra marked "PROBA". For example please see www.numizmatyka.waw.pl/pics/gptlyuqml4_9a.jpg.
For me Polish coins are placed in the following categories:
1. circulated coind;
2. commemorative coins (as the legal tender) in both surface finishing: normal/proof;
3.commemorative coins (not legal tender - yes, yes!) in both surface finishing: normal/proof;
4. trial strikes for collectors (minatge about 300 to 30.000 pcs.) in both surface finishing: normal/proof;
5. real trial strikes (minatge - just a few pcs);
6. nickel coins, standard surface finishing - mintage always 500 pcs: 250 for museums in Poland, 250 for collctors of Polish Numismatics Society.
A few years ago Warsaw Mint had satrted production of coins with colour paintings, with precious stones (like amber and others), square plate coins (but not klippa!)... What does it mean for me - another kind of jewellery, nothing more!

Forgive me my bad english - maybe after ten years on cointalk it will be better

 

nyhariel:
Welcome, and thanks for the posting.

 

Yes, I know: better late than never...

 

I don't think I was asking about proof circulating coins. Proof circulating coins rarely exist in circulation unless it's meant for special minting purposes, i.e. for coin collectors like us.

 

To nyhariel

Thanks for the info on Polish coins and the website link.

Clinker

 

I'm new to collecting... so pardon if this question is amatuer; I have been hearing about people finding proofs in circulated rolls (ie. pennys, half dollars etc) - how do you tell a coin is a proof and not just a shiney circulation-strike ??

thank you