|
|
|
Elizabeth II 1960 Coronation Commemorative Crown Coin. Reference: Spink 4143, English Silver Coinage 393K.
The second commemorative crown coin minted in the reign of Queen Elizabeth II was in 1960 to mark the occasion of the British Trade Fair in New York. The Royal Mint had a stand at the fair on which examples of the 1960 crown were sold. These crowns were struck in the U.K. using highly polished dies and presented in blue plastic cases. Some examples of the standard issue coin exist with a plain edge. These were unintentional strikings without a collar.
The obverse design of the 1960 crown coin comprises the portrait of Queen Elixabeth II facing right, designed by Mary Gillick. The legend reads: · ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F · D · FIVE SHILLINGS.
The reverse deisgn of the 1960 crown coin is by Edgar Fuller and Cecil Thomas. Central crown with Englsih rose above, Irish shamrock to right, Scottish thistle to left with Welsh leek and date of 1953 below. The angles house four shields in saltire incorporating the designers' initials - CT above the English shield and EF above the Irish shield. This design was first used on the 1953 Elizabeth II coronation crown.
The edge of the 1960 Elizabeth II Coronation crown coin is milled.
A version of the 1960 crown coin struck from polished dies was issued for sale at the exhibition in New York. Unsold coins were bagged up and shipped back to Britain and their blue plastic cases discarded. As such many of the crowns have bagbags and perfect examples are difficult to find. Reference: (as standard coin), English Silver Coinage 393L.
A proof version of the 1960 crown was struck to be presented to VIPs. This version of the coin has a frosted design with highly polished fields. Reference: Spink (as standard coin), English Silver Coinage 393M.
A pattern 1960 coin was produced, identical to the standard currency issue but with a plain edge and slightly bevelled rim.
