Mint Sets

When the Royal Mint strikes coins, they strike them in three different qualities. The Proof coins for the Proof Sets, the Specimen coins for the Mint Sets and the Uncirculated for actual usage. The ones that are most difficult to get are the real Uncirculated coins. We have tried bank after bank and they just don’t have Uncirculated coins available. Perhaps the Royal Mint wants to protect their striking of Specimen and Proof Sets. The real Uncirculated set on offer, that is coins that were actually struck for usage by the public and not for inclusion into sets is dated 1997. You get the Uncirculated 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p and 1p, the coins are Brilliant Uncirculated with the occasional bag mark, but these coins were struck to be used and as such are extremely difficult to get. These were the last coins struck with the so-called Maklouf bust of the Queen on them. A very difficult set to get.

In 1953, for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, the Royal Mint issued new coins with the Queen’s portrait. For the first time ever, they issued all the coins from the Farthing to the Halfcrown in a plastic wallet. So this set became known as the ‘Plastic Set’. You get the Farthing, Halfpenny, Penny, Brass Threepence, Sixpence, English Shilling, Scottish Shilling, Florin and Halfcrown, all in the plastic wallet as issued. Of course over the past 65 years the wallet has become a little bit brittle and the coins a little mellowed in toning. They are important one year type coins and the first coins of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II. But, and this is a very important point, the 1953 coins are all unique type coins. In 1954 they changed the legend and therefore the 1953 coins are all unique one year type coins. Available here with light toning.

In 1977 Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Silver Jubilee or 25th anniversary as our Queen. The Royal Mint issued a special Crown to mark the occasion and more importantly, issued every denomination for that year for circulation. This is something that did not happen all that often. They also issued a Proof Set of these 1977 coins, but they did not issue a Mint Set in 1977. Years ago we obtained a quantity of the coins and had Sandhill make up a red white and blue display card for the 1977 Mint Set. It comes in a Sandhill case, which with the insert would cost you today at least £4-£5, as they are no longer made. You get the Halfpenny, Penny, Twopence, Five Pence, Ten Pence, 50 Pence and Crown. Only the Penny and Twopence are still being made today of the same size and even they are now made out of steel. All the other coins have been reduced in size except for the Halfpence and Crown which are no longer made. All of the coins are in Brilliant Uncirculated condition, remember the case and insert alone would cost you £4-£5 today, a bargain!

The Mint calls these sets Brilliant Uncirculated, but they are really much better, being specimens. The set comes in the Royal Mint packaging still sealed, as issued. You get the 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p and 50p plus the Round Pound, regular £2 and the £2 for the Centenary of the Olympics all in Prooflike condition. Add this important set to your collection, we cannot imagine what the Royal Mint is charging for similar sets today!

1986 Uncirculated £2 for Commonwealth Games. In 1986 the Royal Mint issued its first ever commemorative £2 coin. It was also the first ever non gold £2 coin. It was issued to honour the Commonwealth Games held in Edinburgh, Scotland. This is a fantastic coin, especially as it was the first commemorative £2 piece, the first non gold £2 piece and it was the old large sized £2 piece. The coins on offer are the Uncirculated examples issued for real usage. They are now 31 years old and getting more and more difficult to get.

10-coin set from Crown to farthing in Uncirculated condition