Royal Mint Proof Coin Sets

In 2008 the Royal Mint changed the reverse designs on our coinage. In a package all the coins together they make a most interesting shield design. Singly they look like mis-struck coins. When they first came out we had loads of people coming in and saying that their coins were struck off center. The Mint issued Silver Proof Sets with either or both designs. Here we present the Old Coinage, you get the 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p and £1. It comes in a plastic display case with all coins of either type, struck in Proof Sterling Silver.

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!

Since the round pound was first issued in 1983 there have been 3 different busts of H.M. the Queen: The Machin bust (1983-4), the so-called Maklouf bust (1985-97), and the Rank-Broadley bust (1998-2014). We have taken one of each type in gleaming Sterling Silver Proof, put them in a protective holder, and then put all 3 holders in a handsome display case. That way you can see all three busts at the same time. Some of the types are not easy to get, so We think our price for this three-piece type set of just £125 is quite reasonable, but supplies are very limited. They are not easy to find. This would make a wonderful gift for someone, especially if they are too young to remember the Round Pound. The three Sterling Silver Proof Pounds in a handsome display case just £125.00. All 3 portraits of the Queen.

The 1973 Proof Set is a difficult one to get. Many of these sets have been spoiled by corrosion. All of the 1973 Proof Sets have medium to heavy toning, but some of them are so dark that we have to break them open and bank them. This was probably because of the glue they used to hold the pad down, too much rubber cement which gives off sulphur fumes. The sets we have on offer have medium toning which is quite hard to get. Each set contains the 50p, our first commemorative, 10p, 5p, 2p, 1p and 1/2p. Each set comes in the plastic case as issued with the red card wrapper. Nice sets of the 1973 issue are very difficult to find.

6 coin set in original Royal Mint packaging

When the first Decimal coin was issued in 1968 they carried the denomination ‘New Pence’, this was to differentiate them from the pre-decimal Pennies that were in circulation at the time. This denomination was carried on until 1982, when the denomination was changed from New Pence to Pence and the word 'New' was dropped from the legend. We have on offer the last of the New Pence Proof Set, the 1981 issue. Each set is complete with the black outer wrapper and the set itself is in a bright red case. The set comprises the 50p, 10p, 5p, 2p, 1p and 1/2p all in Proof condition plus the Royal Mint dated medal. Of course, over the past 32 years, some of the coins will have toned a little, but this is normal. One important point is that the 5 pence was NOT struck for circulation. So if you want a 1981 5 New Pence, you can only get it from this Proof Set.