Coins, Tokens and Historical Medals

Elizabeth II (1952- ), Decimal issues, An original plaster model by A. Machin of the obverse for the newly-proposed decimal coins [1963], coronetted bust right, elizabeth · ii d · g · regina f · d, the design 173mm and the whole 228mm (cf. L & S 11; ESC (Rayner) p.216; KM. TS 13; cf. DNW 107, 620). Some discolouration, otherwise much as made, extremely rare; in protective metal carrying case £500-£1,000

A limited competition between invited artists for a new decimal currency was put in hand as soon as the Committee was set up in December 1961. The winner was adjudged to be Christopher Ironside (1913-92). Trial strikings were made of Mr Ironside’s designs, coupled with a new obverse by Arnold Machin (1911-99), but the change of government following the 1964 General Election caused a temporary shelving of the project. The formal decision to decimalise Britain’s currency was announced by the then Chancellor, James Callaghan (1912-2005), on 1 March 1966