Year: 2018

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Isle of Man 50p Coin In 1994, 1997 & 2017 (Circulating Commemorative Coin)





Isle of Man Circulating Commemorative 50p coin in 1994 1997 and 2017






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It is very tricky to talk about this topic here. In terms of circulating coin (i.e., currency) and circulating commemorative coin, there is no a significant difference that tells you how to define/recognise them (i.e., benchmark). But, it is only occasionally addressed by officials over years. A final and solid outcome was written in black and write in 2017, due to an error made by the Tower Mint.

The Isle of Man is one of the Crown Dependence Isles, and is not part of the U.K. but is self-governing dependency of the Crown (Ministry of Justice). The government of the Isle of Man is called the Tynwald Court (hereafter Tynwald). Tynwald has two branches on the island, the House of Keys, and the Legislative Council (British-Irish Council). With regard to the two branch themes above on Fifty pence coins, they can be found in 2017 and 1994 respectively.

Probably, we have seen enormous coins or related-medals (either circulating currency coins or circulating commemorative coins) struck at the Pobjoy mint under permission of the Isle of Man government, this is because “The issue of its own currency is a positive statement of independence and the power of self-determination. It is also an important source of investment income which would otherwise accrue to the United Kingdom if that country’s currency was allowed to displace it” (Treasury, the Isle of Man Government). How many coins are they (the Mint) able to mint, it all depends on the IOM government demand.

It is clear right now that you have seen coins well-related with Tynwald itself only a few, like 1994 and 2017, but the amount of coins well-related with Queen E II struck at the Pobjoy mint (before 2017) is huge like 1978, 1979 and 2012 etc. In this blog, we will go through a set of three circulating commemorative coins, covering 1994, 2017 and 1997, as below.

  • 1994 Legislative building 50p UNC coin

  • 2017 the House of Keys 50p UNC coin (version I)

    • Note: this type of coin, named version I, was minted by the Tower Mint in England that is the brand new minter of the Isle of Man government since 2017.

  • 2017 the House of Keys 50p PF coin (version II)

    • Note: this type of coin, named version II, was minted by the Tower Mint, but the Tynwald claimed they were PROOFLIKE coins (see the apology letter). Because of this apology letter, it tells us that a) diamond finish coins by Pobjoy Mint are at least prooflike coins, and b) the coin in folder is actually a proof coin made by the Tower mint, but the Tynwald only say it is a prooflike coin, last not least c) the consistency of the Isle of Man coinage could never be broken, and also remember who is the big boss behind, the Tynwald Court.

  • 1997 Philip McCallen and Nigel Davies T.T.-related 50p UNC coin

    • Note: only large-sized 50p coins made in 1997 are collector’s coin due to in high demand.

The above three 50p coins tell us that how the Tynwald Court think and behave on the numismatic markets. Also, it is a solid way to understand how the Tynwald make its coinage business profitable and commercial-preferred. A very interesting question is going to be asked, who was the person put bets on 50p coin after the Decimalisation Day (D-day)? The Tynwald Court, or the Mint, or …? It is not hard to make a guess on a binary question (50/50), especially getting rid of the Mint quickly after more than 40 years last long standing relationship.

#The End

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Isle of Man Viking Boat 50p Coin in 1971 1972 1973 & 1974 (BU version)





Isle of Man Viking Boat 50p PF coin in 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974






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Today, I shall bring you the most wanted proof decimal sets from the Isle of Man in 1971/1972/1973/1974. All sets presented here are BU for the purpose of illustration. We will have a look each set first and then focus on 50p coin each year from 1971 to 1974. The 1971 BU set was made by the Royal Mint and but the 1972/1973/1974 BU sets were definitely struck at the Pobjoy Mint in 1975. Over this period (1971 to 1974), you are looking for proof coins probably. However, it is really hard to find out.

  1. 1971 Isle of Man Year Mint Brilliant Uncirculated Set (5-coin).

    2. Note: blue inner sleeve.

  2. 1972 Isle of Man Year Mint Brilliant Uncirculated Set (5-coin).

    3. Note: light inner sleeve.

  3. 1973 Isle of Man Year Mint Brilliant Uncirculated Set (5-coin).

    4. Note: light inner sleeve.

  4. 1974 Isle of Man Year Mint Brilliant Uncirculated Set (5-coin).

    5. Note: light inner sleeve.

Now, let we break sets down into 50p coins only from 1971 to 1974. You have probably noticed things in common above that all sets showing here are BU in grade and 1972 to 1974 plastic folders are in light blue colour however 1971 is in navy blue colour. Do you know that the UK was adopted the decimal system in currency in 1971 and the Isle of Man followed suit. In 1971, the Isle of Man had 3 types of finish of decimal coins from the Royal Mint, as follows, Specimen, Brilliant Uncirculated and Proof. Based on this root/consistency, you should have found Specimen, Brilliant Uncirculated and Proof coins from the Pobjoy Mint in 1972/1973/194. However, it is hard to be true, actually only 2 types of coin existence namely BU and Proof.

Now, let us move on the details of each 50p coin from the sets above.

1. 1971 50p BU coin. This coin (or the set) was sourced from Germany. Actually, it is really unbelievable such set and such place I got. It is hard to make it up, because all coins from 1/2d to 50p are still showing mint lustre.

  • 1.1 1971 50p BU coin.

2. 1972 50p BU coin. It is a 50p coin from the Isle of Man with a limit mintage of 1,000 coins. 1,000 pieces made in 1975, UNBELIEVABLE!!! It is somehow correlated with the event in 1979, Millennium of Tynwald. The entire thing is not a single and unrelated point but very strongly connected to a workable proposal submitted in 1972 by Mr D Pobjoy. It is said by collectors that all most of this kind were in a very serious collector’s hand, s/he was not keen to sell the coins. This causes 1972 50ps not cheap in the market.

  • 2.1 1972 50p BU coin.

3. 1973 50p BU coin. 1,000 pieces were made in 1975 as well. The difference between a BU coin and a PF coin is by looking at the E of Second on obverse. Only a few proof coins were minted within the allowance.

  • 3.1 1973 50p BU coin.

4. 1974 50p BU coin. 1,000 pieces made in 1975 as well. The difference between a BU coin and a PF coin is by looking at the E of Second on obverse. Only a few proof coins were minted within the allowance.

  • 4.1 1974 50p BU coin.

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, there are 3 variants in 50p coins like Specimen, BU and Proof made in 1971. During the period of 1972 to 1974, there are only 2 variants in 50p coins like BU as shown above and Proof as follows. At this point, you are now able to see a 1974 50p proof coin, because it is only a sample to illustrate what does 50p proof look like.

  • E1. 1974 50p Proof coin.

  • E2. BU obverse vs. PF obverse.

  • E3. The significance difference between BU and PF 50p coins.

From above, two things are clearly showing that firstly, a IOM 50p BU coin bearing 1971 exists and is hard to find out. Secondly, IOM 50p PF coins over the period of 1971 to 1974 were made in 1975 which can be found in the current market. The difference between a 50p BU coin and a 50p PF coin is by looking at the E of SECOND on obverse. Only the difference can tell you how to distinguish a BU coin and a PF coin. There is a very interesting question to ask how many did the Pobjoy mint produce those 50p proof coins? Of course, as usual, a small proportion was taken off from planned 1,000 pieces each year for 1972/73/74 respectively. Therefore, in order to answer it, my assumption is based on a weight of 1/4 (=0.25) and 1/10 (=0.10), then (max.) 250 (=0.25*1,000) proof coins and (min. 100) (=0.10*1,000) proof coins. Don’t ask me why, but you will know more than me if you know history of the Isle of Man.

#The End

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Isle of Man Viking Boat 50p in 1982 with privy Babycrib





Isle of Man Viking Boat 50p coin in 1982 with the babycrib privy mark




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It is very interesting to talk about this babycrib privy. Because, 1982 it is the year of birth of future King in the UK. Also, it is only the commemorative coin to celebrate this great moment on British coinage. Normally, the batch code on 1982 50p coins should have done with AA (or similar code), but the code was AC only instead AA (or similar code) and then a small portion of the privy coins was on BU coins and proof coins, of course silver coins as well. The AC die letters is really a sign to let you recall 1979 AC ones as quick as you can.

  • The medallion found only in silver collector sets.

Let we start with AC circulating 50p coins first. If you have a little bit knowledge of die marks (or batch codes) on the Pobjoy Mint coins, you probably notice that the appearance of AC it is really special this year. The die mark of AC we have talked in other article, please find it from Die Marks AC on categories on your right bar. Therefore, this kind of 50p coins with AC are really normal ones.

  • 1982 Isle of Man Viking Boat 50p coin with AC.

Here, it confirms that sequence C is used to commemorate a special occasion or event on IOM numismatic products. Also, the C is absolute right under control of the IOM government, meaning the C representing Tynwald.

Soon later, because the existence (–birth of future King in the UK–) of this important moment, the Mint updated 1982 circulating 50p coins to a very special privy babycrib on BUN coins Proof coins and Silver proof coins.

  • 1982 Isle of Man Viking Boat 50p BU coin with the babaycrib privy.

Therefore, a common 1982 IOM 50p coins has two versions ordinary and special ones. For special ones, they made them on CN with/out a proof finish, and on silver with a proof finish as well.

  • 1982 Isle of Man Viking Boat 50p PF coin with the babycrib privy.

  • 1982 Isle of Man Viking Boat 50p Silver PF coin with the babycrib privy.

Last not least, the stamp issued in 1982 was really beautiful.

  • 1982 Isle of Man stamp.

It seems all happiness stopped there, that smile, and the was-little baby in crib is now expecting a third child in their family. Time flies by fast, but where is the women in that photo?

I spend many words on the Pobjoy Mint in all my blogs. But one day, I realise that I only spend a few words on the Tynwald. I was wrong, because I did not see the relationship between the Tynwald and the Pobjoy Mint. The Pobjoy mint is a minter, and is nothing without any permission from a government. Some good coins produced by the Pobjoy mint on behalf of the government of Isle of Man (the Tynwald) were presenting the relationship between the Tynwald and England. For instance, 1979 50p coins, 1982 50ps and 2012 50ps. I personally encourage you to learn history of IOM, and then you will see more valuable coins made by the Pobjoy mint.

#The End

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Gibraltar Christmas 50p Coin in 2017 Father Christmas





Gibraltar 2017 Xmas 50p Diamond Finish (DF) and Brilliant Uncirculated Finish (BU) Coins




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This year, 2017, the government of Gibraltar gives permission to the Pobjoy Mint to strike its commercial coinage business especially commercial 50p coins. Bear in mind that this year, 2017, the government of Isle of Man gives permission to the Tower Mint to strike its coinage. So, you are able to see the Xmas theme on gibraltar coins again. But, The Xmas theme is on the Falkland Island coinage, Christmas Penguins. To Gibraltar, the Xmas-related theme this year is Father Xmas (or Santa Clause), and the exactly same with coins they made in 1992. Yes, it has been 25 years on when the Pobjoy Mint restrike their own idea on GIB coins. The only difference between 1992 and 2017 is diameter of the coins and 2-eyeball vs. 1-eyeball. There is nothing new to talk over it but too many things on the latter one.

  • 2017 Gibraltar Xmas 50p Diamond Finish (DF) coin.

    • Note: Father Xmas has had only one eyeball!!

  • 2017 Gibraltar Xmas 50p Diamond Finish (DF) coin with COA.

    • Note: This year the Pobjoy Mint keep COA and Coin together, which is meaningless!!

  • 2017 Gibraltar Xmas 50p diamond finish (DF) coin on its own.

    • Note: BUNC and DF coins have no difference in any way.

The 50p coin above was originally stored in card with its COA at back, saying 10,000 coins of diamond finish minted at the Pobjoy Mint. For a real coin collector, the coin is the most important object to hold no matter what. So, this brings out a very interesting topic what a diamond finish coin is really? As so far, blanks for a diamond finish coin are pre-polished, and this is confirmed by the Mint. This leads the field area of a DF coin should have mirror-liked area or strong reflectivity.

The theme, Father Christmas. 1992 version, it looks like Father Xmas happy, but, by contrast, 2017 version makes Father Xmas unhappy or crying with one eye ball or like Father Pirate Xmas.

  • 1992 2-eye balls coin vs. 2017 1-eye ball coin.

    • Note: Father Xmas the 1992 version and Father Pirate Xmas the 2017 version is obviously different on either drawing or coin techs. A 25-year downhill gap that it has been created between 1992 and 2017.

Later on, they decided to put another batch of 2017 Xmas 50p coins into circulation (mintage unknown). If you have a very close look at so-called BU coins, you probably find nothing. So, the batch of 10,000 carded version and the batch of circulation coins are the exactly same. However, one thing totally different is how to present to coin collectors. This means the Mint spend a lot of time on how to design outside package instead spend more time on how to design a good artwork for coin collectors.

  • 2017 Gibraltar Xmas 50p brilliant uncirculated finish (BU) coin on its own.

  • 2017 Gibraltar Xmas 50p diamond finish (DF) and brilliant uncirculated (BU) coins together.

A question, could you identify which one is a Diamond Finish coin from above??? It is really hard to point out which one it is. However, they all are the same condition in different ways. That Is It. So, “only” 10,000 so-called diamond finish in cards exist if you want to keep the consistency, and the others, single coins, it is a coin for daily use. The Mint is really smart this year, however, how many collectors are really after them at all?

#The End

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