Elizabeth II, Royal Mint 1997 Proof Set

1996 was a very interesting year in recent British history: England hosted the European Football Championships, Charles & Diana finally completed their divorce, Nelson Mandela visited the UK, and the Royal Mint did something they had never done before. They issued a Proof Set of the then-current 1996 coins but, every coin was struck in Proof Sterling Silver. You have the 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p 50p and £1 all struck in Proof Sterling Silver. The whole set comes in a purple plush presentation case with the certificate and is a rather handsome set. One of the marketing company’s is asking £450.00 for this Silver Proof Set. We think this is a fantastic set and, as such, it is much underappreciated. But maybe not if you pay what some of the marketing companies are asking you for it… A nice set sold at a great price!

In March 2002, the Bank of England introduced a new design for the £5 note with a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the front and Elizabeth Fry, prison reformer, on the back. (B393) Within days, the Bank suspended the issue. Reports were coming in that the serial numbers could be easily rubbed off. The problem was addressed and in August 2002 the issue was resumed. We are offering Crisp Uncirculated examples of the very first £5 notes from this series all with the prefix HA01 and intact. Increasingly difficult to find in Uncirculated!

To ensure your collection is preserved in the best possible condition, we recommend that you use an album, individual capsules or envelopes. This will allow you to handle your collection safely as well as providing a means of display. The Lighthouse Optima Album has a deluxe leather look complete with leather look slip case. The pages are made of acid free material. Each Album comes with 10 pages, 2 for coins up to 65mm, 4 for coins up to 34mm, 2 for coins up to 27mm and 2 for coins up to 20mm. This album comes in hunter green.