Polish coin(s) of the week #5

JohnZ

This is a mint set from 1982. The Warsaw Mint has always been very aware of collectors, and throughout it's history, it has issued numerous pattern pieces and commems. These mint sets, however, were issued only in 1979, 80, 81, 82, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, and 95, and all of them have a mintage of no more than 5000 per set. Still, they can be had for a song. Somehow, they just haven't caught on.

I bought one from Danglen and another from Andy Mirski. Andy had mislabeled it as a proof set, but in fact, it's considered to be a mint set. I myself would have guessed that these are proof coins: the shiny mirrors and frosty devices make for a lovely cameo contrast that's every bit as dramatic as any DCAM proofs I've ever seen. Another eye-appealing aspect of this set is the number of different compositions - aluminum, brass, and copper-nickel.

I can't for the life of me imagine why these sets haven't become wildly popular! I'm going to collect every date at this point.






Link to Polish coin of the week #4

newbiecollector

Very nice!

Philip

To me that IS a proof set

izzy452

Nice set John.

Walt

JohnZ

To me that IS a proof set.

Philip, I think the issue here is one of terminology. It IS in fact a proof set. I have examples of all of those coins in their circulating versions, and they look like ordinary business strikes. I think when the Warsaw Mint calls them "Circulating Coins", they are referring to the fact that all of these DESIGNS are on circulating coins.

That's my story anyway, and I'm sticking to it.

1jester

Your story seems sound to me. Lovely set!

spoon

Cool set! I might have an explanation as to why they're not so well known.. Krause doesn't list them!! at least not in my 1993 ed. That's a curse for collectors wanting decent market value.. With comic books, if Wizard doesn't list it or they don't list it as something significant it'll be worth pennies.. just 'cause no one knows about it.

JohnZ

1993? Time to join us in the 21st century spoon.

My 2002 does in fact list them, but no pics.

P.S., I paid about $25 for that set.

spoon

But I wanna stay in the 19th!! (at least coin-wise) ..anyway, I'm cheap

spoon

Shoot, before I got this from Rob I was using my library's 1990 ed. Once I got the 93 and leaf'd thru it I was wondering where all these old coins were coming from.. then I noticed my library just got a recent Krause (200?) and there was even more that was never listed! (I don't mean new issues)

JohnZ

I expect they'll get all caught up with the 20th century sometime around 2050.

Hell, would you want to catalog all those coins?

SYRACUSIAN

John, although I'm not familiar with Polish coins, I think there's a very fine line between proof and proof-like, especially when it comes to pre-packaged sets for collectors. Could this be a similar version to the modern Swiss FDC sets with prooflike finish and even cameo effect? The Swiss mint calls them uncirculated but I could be easily convinced that they are proofs.

edited to add : OT - spoon, could I have a link to the Wizard?

JohnZ

Syracusian, you've brought up an interesting question. Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the definitions of "business" and "proof" strikes contingent upon the minting process itself? I find it difficult to believe that the coins in this set are the result of ordinary minting. They have much sharper details than their circulating cousins, which could only be achieved by several high-pressure strikes, and the DCAM appearance of the coins suggests a polishing process. But isn't this the definition of a proof? If it walks like a duck...

The 10 zlotych Boleslaw Prus piece came out the best in the scan, but all of the coins have the same lovely contrast. If there is in fact a line between DMPL and proof here, it's too fine for me to discern.

spoon

Dimitri, I haven't seriously collected comics in over 10 yrs, but from what I know Wizard is still the top monthly price guide.. I usually pick one up once a year just to see where all my old stuff is valued. Overstreet is the Krause of comics though.

I got swamped with irrelevant links on google so here's Amazon links:
Overstreet Price Guide
Wizard Subscription

spoon

<< <i>Hell, would you want to catalog all those coins? >>

www.numispedia.org

Someday.. someday.

OK, yeah, I'm a slacker. But, hey, if you want to work together on the Polish section... All I need is photos and a few words.

1jester

John, those coins walk, look and quack like ducks!!! Proof all the way, regardless of what they call them. Perhaps their description has more to do with communistic jargon (coins for the people shouldn't be "special" strikes) than anything else.

Spoon, feel free to use any of my Challenges for your website.

JohnZ

OK, yeah, I'm a slacker. But, hey, if you want to work together on the Polish section... All I need is photos and a few words.

Wow, that's an ambitious site, spoon. I had no idea you were up to such a thing. Actually, I have lots of coins and descriptions I could contribute. I need better pics, though. My scanner just doesn't cut the mustard.

spoon

Heh, maybe too ambitious.. but I'll try to get some stuff up that you don't see online too often, I hope, eventually. Right now I'm still just messing around with the structure and galleries.. haven't gotten around to typing up any articles or anything like that yet.

If there's anything you (or anyone else!) can contribute just give me a PM. No obligations if you do.. I'm not a slavedriver But any help would be much appreciated. It isn't meant as a personal site, hopefully someday it'll be a decent resource for collectors

[sorry for hijacking your thread.. twice!]