1986 Cayman Islands Proof Set - Royal Mint "Passing Off" Fran

[VickySilver]

As a sidelight, and don't let the major contributors to these forums see this, I collect some modern proof sets and recently purchased an 1986 Cayman Islands Proof Set on ebay. These coins are supposedly struck by the Royal Mint and certainly released from them, but on inspection was most surprised to find that the 50c, $1 and $5 dollar proof coins all had the Franklin Mint mintmark monogram of the "F superimposed on M".

I contacted the Royal Mint who said they would not offer any explanation!

As the Franklin Mint had evidently ceased minting coins with some of their 1985 issues, this seems doubly strange.

My thought is that as the reverse dies were already in existence complete with monogram that the dies were either obtained by Royal Mint or hub from Franklin mint used to create dies and the mintmark left on.

What say you dear readers?

[VickySilver]

Title of post should have been: 1986 Cayman Islands Proof Set - Royal Mint "Passin Off" Franklin Mint Coins?

[HistoricCoinage]

Vicky Silver,

I have a feeling that you will get some questions answered here as the members seem much more engaged and knowledgeable in world currency.

It is an interesting proof set though and I would love to know the outcome of your enquiry too!

[VickySilver]

Well, I will try to find out more about this set. It strikes me that the former librarian to the Royal Mint Graham Dyer may be of assistance and will try to contact him if possible. I believe that the 50c and dollar coins of the following 1987 and 1988 years as the reverse types are unchanged from 1984 and 1986.

Not trying to suggest anything but seems a bit of an unholy alliance between the Royal and Franklin Mints - the latter has been castigated for varied business practices and excesses as readers may recall...

[VickySilver]

Now I have seen the 1987 Cayman Islands set and the 50c and $1 kept the same reverses, complete with the Franklin Mint monogram mintmark. I would guess, but have not seen, that the 1988 set coins of the same denomination will also bear the FM mintmark.