More Beauty and Rarity In an Unassuming Package: 1975 Barbados FM Matte Specimen Set

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OK, here is another 1975 Franklin Mint matte (M) set that I got some 10-12 years ago. It is the only one I have ever seen and came in a Capitol Plastics holder, not an "OGP" set or packaging. In fact these coins were of circulation-type for that date; even though the recording mintage for the $10 Poseidon coin is 250 very few are known and the minors are recorded as being struck in somewhat greater numbers but seem to be even scarcer.

Here is a brief rundown for Barbados coins struck by the FM:

There are two types of uncirculated coins:

(U) - prooflike
(M) - matte

Proof-like coins were first struck for specimen sets only in 1975, 1976, and probably 1977. From 1978 through 1984 they continued to be struck for specimen sets but also in very limited numbers for circulation or currency purposes. I have not seen a dedicated 1984 specimen set.

Matte coins were first struck in 1973, and for 1973 and 1974 were struck for sets and possibly for circulation. These were then struck ONLY for circulation in 1975 and 1976 (possibly 1977) and then NOT struck after that even though Krause continues to propagate the myth that matte coins were struck after that in that 1978-1984 period.

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