Metal Wrapped Decimal Coin Set

[Simon S]

I have bought at auction a 'Britains First Decimal Coins' set in a hard red case with gold lettering. What is unusual about this set is that the coins are wrapped in possibly a silver foil. To look at them you would not think them wrapped or anything other than a solid metal coin.

The case is similar to the hard cases the Royal Mint used at the time, such as the ones used for the Accession 50p coin.

If anybody has any ideas it would be much appreciated.

 

[Paulus]

Do you have any pictures you could post?

[Simon S]

I will upload in the morning, the coins are also dated 1968

[PWA 1967]

1968....................

[bagerap]

So, is this just a two coin set? 5p & 10p were the only decimals carrying a 1968 date as far as I can recall.

[Simon S]

The 5p and 10p ae 1968 and the 1/2p, 1p and 2p are 1971

[copper123]

51 minutes ago, Simon S said:

The 5p and 10p ae 1968 and the 1/2p, 1p and 2p are 1971

thats just normal dated coins then

[Simon S]

Hopefully the URL should work

[IanB]

Doesn't appear to be working. Where are you linking it from?

[Simon S]

These are pictures of the 5p coin the tear in wrap is visible at 11 o clock

[Simon S]

This is the complete set, the case is similar to the Accession 50p.

[IanB]

Are they chocolates wrapped in foil?

[Simon S]

Vintage chocolates possibly a higher value than a first decimal set

[IanB]

Have you looked at the tear with a magnifier? Can you see if the edges are lifting away from the coin? I wonder if they are plated in someway 

[Simon S]

I have that is why I think it is a metal foil wrap, rather than plating. Also they are several grammes heavier than the normal coin.

[IanB]

So are they fakes? Although for the life of me I cannot understand why someone would go to the trouble.

[Simon S]

I don't think they are fakes, that is why I posted on here for your opinions. If it was one of the companies that prey on the elderly and advertise 'silver and gold' coins in the back of the Sunday supplements why use a wrap? Plating would be much cheaper.

[VickySilver]

From the pictures which are not quite as resolved as we might like, it is hard to tell. The "plating" or layering appears to be quite flush to the surface of the coin & it really can not be told. Many years ago, I used to try to save silver coins by wrapping them in aluminium foil (which BTW did NOT work as it set up a battery) and really could not adhere to the surface. I have some post-decimal pennies bought as part of larger lots that have plating that also does not appear as your 5p does. Is it possible to email higher resolution quality pictures through the PM contact function?

[copper123]

by the look of the box i would think it could be 40 years or more in age

But I could be wrong................