J B Page Pictorial £5 B332 A Prefx Unc

In 1926 British West Africa still existed and in 1926 Princess Elizabeth was born. British West Africa struck a small coin with a star on it and a hole in the center. Not planed that way but what a wonderful coincident.A coin with a star to celebrate her birthday. The coin from the year of our Queen’s birth (1926) has a denomination of 1/10th of a Penny. The hole was so the natives who did not have pockets, could thread the coins on string and wear them around their necks. They wore their tributes to their future Queen. These coins are in Uncirculated condition but have toned down a bit over the past 95 years. They look great but are in short supply.

In 1953 Queen Elizabeth II had her Coronation, while she had been Queen for almost a year, this made it Official. It is Royal Mint policy only to issue coins for a new Monarch only after their Coronation. So, although Elizabeth became our Queen in 1952, no coins were issued until after her Coronation in 1953 so these were the first official coinage of Queen Elizabeth II. The 1953 coins are one year only coins, as the next year they changed the legend slightly. In the Coronation Proof Set you have the Crown, Halfcrown, Florin, English Shilling, Scottish Shilling, Sixpence, brass Threepence, Penny, Halfpenny and Farthing. The Proof Set comes in a maroon case, but because of the padding used in the cases, the insides are sometimes a bit spotty. The bronze coins may have toned or mellowed but the coins are all in Proof condition, as issued.

Bank of England £5 with The Duke of Wellington vignette. Litho printed with 'L' on back.