UK Shilling

Cruzi

Looking through NEN's usual offering of wonderful coins that I cannot afford I came across this:

1954 Shilling

Can anyone explain the VIP issue thing and why does Libby have a hook nose and puffy cheeks?

Link does not work





<< <i>Great Britain 1954 Shilling England Reverse PCGS PR65 Cameo Gorgeous piece with a wash of gold and deeply frosted devices. Extremely rare VIP proof issue. >>

ajaan

VIP coins are coins that are proof which were minted in very low numbers. There weren't any proof sets in 1954. I have a VIP 1958 halfpenny that has a mintage of anywhere from 8 to 15? At one time I owned two of them.

Cruzi

Thanks Ajaan

A check in Coincraft revealed what you are talking about and shows this type of obverse.
Must say I don't care for it, it loses something.

wybrit

VIP proof coins were struck most years beginning around 1928 to give to VIPs as souvenirs for royal visits, state visits, etc. Ajaan's numbers are about right. In some cases full sets may actually have been produced.

The only complete set I have seen for sale outside of the usual dates, 1937, 1950, 1951, 1953 and 1970, was one dated 1949. It was advertised for around £10,000 about 10 years ago (I don'thave the Dolphins coin catalogue anymore, so am operating off of a poor memory).