Rare packaging

[DaveG38]

Recently, on the 'Coin acquisition of the week' thread, I commented on my recent purchase of a 1934 crown. It occurred to me yesterday that the purchase was even rarer than I thought because of the packaging. Basically, I bought a 1934 year set, which included all the lower denominations, which were mounted on a display card - obviously a 'birthday' set for somebody born in 1934. However, the 'normal' set doesn't have a cut out for the crown for the obvious reason that most punters for a 1934 birthday set aren't going to shell out for the crown as well.

In the case of my purchase, the crown was mounted in its own cardboard cutout, separate from the other coins. The design of the two is clearly similar, so obviously came from the same company. I just wonder how many 1934 crown mounts were made, given the very low mintage of crowns. I mean how many would you expect to sell? From my point of view it must mean that the mounting for the crown is even rarer than the coin, although I doubt it will add to the value!

Does anybody know who produced these mounts and when?

[DaveG38]

Here's the 'normal' mounting for the year set.

[argentumandcoins]

It wasn't by chance a recent auction purchase?

If it was I won the 1929 set in the same sale, again mounted in the same sort of cards.

I would guess they are Sandhill, but that is only a guess.

As to rarity???

It looks to be a simple matter of printing a date once the production run of blanks has been cut, so they could have been printed to order rather than a mass run. If they were printed to order your card may be rarity 7!!!

[DaveG38]

It wasn't by chance a recent auction purchase?

If it was I won the 1929 set in the same sale, again mounted in the same sort of cards.

I would guess they are Sandhill, but that is only a guess.

As to rarity???

It looks to be a simple matter of printing a date once the production run of blanks has been cut, so they could have been printed to order rather than a mass run. If they were printed to order your card may be rarity 7!!!

I'm sure you are right about the printing process. I was just amused at the idea that the packaging or mounting for a 1934 crown might be rarer than the coin! Yes it was a recent auction purchase - I've been looking out for a 1934 for a while and I got lucky this time. Occasionally, I get lucky in general auctions.

The only one I am still kicking myself about was a local auction where I let a James II shilling, sixpence and farthing go at £650. The two silver coins were between fine and VF, but the gem was the farthing, which was not only in nice condition but was the 1687 with the earlier obverse. I've got one, but its nowhere near as nice as this one was. Owch - that's another kick by the way.

[VickySilver]

Well packaging and associated "goodies" are fun, but sure a pain when it comes to storage. I always hope that the authentication letters, etc. be preserved but this is separately of necessity and there is risk of loss. This brings to mind the dangers of TPG grading, slabs, and losss of provenance. I got an ex-Norweb piece at London auction and it was NOT identified as such.

Sorry, did not mean to pirate the thread...

[VickySilver]

PS Have always loved these 1934 crowns and had a hoard of three (LOL), now down to two. Do any readers recall who it was that was hoarding this date - I think he (she?) was the source of so many coming to market in the last 3-4 years.

[andyscouse]

I don't, but it does seem that these come up on eBay (or similar) reasonably often. I got my example from our very own Mr Perkins several years ago, and it goes nicely along with the '32, '33 and '36 ... I just have the "easier" half of the series to collect now!

[argentumandcoins]

PS Have always loved these 1934 crowns and had a hoard of three (LOL), now down to two. Do any readers recall who it was that was hoarding this date - I think he (she?) was the source of so many coming to market in the last 3-4 years.

The largest "hoard" I was aware of was Roland Harris who had 6 sets of wreaths for his children. They were sold by London Coins about 3 years ago after his death.

[Gary D]

PS Have always loved these 1934 crowns and had a hoard of three (LOL), now down to two. Do any readers recall who it was that was hoarding this date - I think he (she?) was the source of so many coming to market in the last 3-4 years.

The largest "hoard" I was aware of was Roland Harris who had 6 sets of wreaths for his children. They were sold by London Coins about 3 years ago after his death.

The printed cards are from a set of coin folders that could be bought in the late 60s early 70s. Bri-lining or something like that. I kept my collection in them at the time. You could buy the set one or more for each monarch Eliz 11 decimal down to Vicky. They held each year, all denominations except for gold. Depending on the number of coins in a given year you could have one or two cards, two cards to a page.

Gary D

[VickySilver]

Ah, yes, Roland Harris was the name I remembered...

[DaveG38]

PS Have always loved these 1934 crowns and had a hoard of three (LOL), now down to two. Do any readers recall who it was that was hoarding this date - I think he (she?) was the source of so many coming to market in the last 3-4 years.

The largest "hoard" I was aware of was Roland Harris who had 6 sets of wreaths for his children. They were sold by London Coins about 3 years ago after his death.

The printed cards are from a set of coin folders that could be bought in the late 60s early 70s. Bri-lining or something like that. I kept my collection in them at the time. You could buy the set one or more for each monarch Eliz 11 decimal down to Vicky. They held each year, all denominations except for gold. Depending on the number of coins in a given year you could have one or two cards, two cards to a page.

Gary D

Thanks for this Gary. I guess I need to look back through my old Coin Monthly mags, looking for the ads!

[Peckris]

Thanks for this Gary. I guess I need to look back through my old Coin Monthly mags, looking for the ads!

Interesting - I have several CM's from the late 60s but don't recall seeing any such thing. They may be a little earlier than that? Certainly by that time it would have been known how rare the '34 Crown was.