1960 New York Exhibition Commemorative Crown

Obverse of the 1960 Crown - Ordinary Issue

Reverse of the 1960 Crown - Ordinary Issue

Obverse of the 1960 Crown - Prooflike

Reverse of the 1960 Crown - Prooflike

There were two type of crowns issued in 1960; the New York Exhibition Commemorative version and the normal crown.

New York Exhibition Commemorative Crown
The 1960 Crown was struck to celebrate the British Exhibition in New York in 1960. Amongst other British manufacturers, the Royal Mint had a stand, on which they were demonstrating coins being struck. The coin struck was the 1960 crown, or five shilling piece, which was designed for the occasion. The coins made at the exhibition were made using a polished die.

We understand that the Mint bagged up all its unsold stock before shipping them back to the UK. This almost certainly explains why the polished die version frequently turns up with more, and heavier, bagmarking than the normal issue.

Polished Die Prooflike Version
The coins struck at the exhibition were made using polished dies, normally used only for proof coins, although the raised parts of the design were not matt finish, as is typical of proofs, and most of these coins are found with bagmarks (due to the unsold coins being bagged up and shipped back to the UK). Because of this, perfect examples of the polished die version are hard to find.

Two Types Terminology
Some people call either or both types "New York Exhibition" crowns. In order to avoid any ambiguity, we have started to refer to them as the 'normal' or 'ordinary' version, and the 'polished die' version.

Obverse
The first (young) portrait of the Queen facing right, designed by Mary Gillick.
ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F D
FIVE SHILLINGS

Reverse
Crown in centre of emblematical cross, formed from a thistle, rose, leek and shamrock. In the angles, there are four shields bearing the arms of Scotland, England and Ireland.
This is the same reverse design as used on the coronation crown of 1953, but with the date changed.
1960

Edge
The edge is milled

Specifications

Version	Diameter	Weight	Alloy	AMW	Issue
Uncirculated	38.61	28.28	Cupro-nickel		1,024,000
Proof Like	38.61	28.28	Cupro-nickel		70,000
VIP Proof	38.61	28.28	Cupro-nickel		Unknown

For Sale

1960 New York Exhibition Crown - Polished Die Version, FDC

1960 New York Exhibition Crown - Polished Die Version, EF

Quantity	Rate	Buy
1	£10.00

1960 Crown - Ordinary Version, Unc

1960 Crown - Ordinary Version, EF

Quantity	Rate	Buy
1	£5.00

General Notes
We believe this coin is consistently under-rated in most catalogues. Its mintage is less than one fifth that of the similarly catalogued 1953 crown

See also our British Coin Sets page.

Postage & Packing:
UK: At buyer's Risk £3.50 or
Fully Insured £9 (Usually by Royal Mail Special Delivery)
USA: Airmail at buyer's risk $10 or
Fully Insured $20
For further details, please see our Postage & Packing page.

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