George VI, Festival of Britain 1951 Proof Set

In 1950 the Royal Mint issued a Proof Set to celebrate the end of austerity. It was only the second Proof Set since the Coronation issue of 1937. The 1937 coins were struck in Silver and the 1950 coins were struck in base metal because, in 1947, all Silver was removed from our coins. The 1950 Proof Set contains the Halfcrown, Florin, English Shilling, Scottish Shilling, Sixpence, Brass Threepence (Rare), Penny (Rare), Halfpenny and Farthing. The set comes in a card case. The coins have toned over the past years, but we always give you the best set that we have in stock. If the card case it too worn, then we put the set in a Sandhill Case to protect it. This set is Scarce and two of the coins are Rare

The hoard of Edward I Silver Pennies was found at Montrave, Fifeshire in Scotland in 1877. It was found on the land belonging to Mr Allan Gilmour of Lundin and Montrave. It was fully declared and sat in the British Museum for 40-50 years while they examined it. We recently bought a large part of the hoard from one of the heirs of the man who found them in 1877. We are offering you the chance on one of the Rarer Mints, Durham. If you come from Durham, so much the better. Each coin comes with a certificate, certifying that your coin comes from the Montrave Treasure Hoard and from the town of Durham.

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.