When were the 1970 / 1971 proof sets first issued?

[1949threepence 3,367]

Some really useful information there, AardHawk

[Peckris 579]

Some really useful information there, AardHawk

Yes, indeed. If you discount all the reports other than the numbered #102 etc (otherwise it gets confusing!), it's plain to see that the 1970 sets were produced from 1971/2 through to 1976, the 1971 sets from 1973 to 1976, and the 1972-1976 series from 1975/6.

That's pretty conclusive I think? It does show that if the 1970 sets were issued for sale as soon as the minting began, they could have been available from (maybe) 1971 but more likely 1972 given the pressure on in 1971.

[1949threepence 3,367]

Some really useful information there, AardHawk

Yes, indeed. If you discount all the reports other than the numbered #102 etc (otherwise it gets confusing!), it's plain to see that the 1970 sets were produced from 1971/2 through to 1976, the 1971 sets from 1973 to 1976, and the 1972-1976 series from 1975/6.

That's pretty conclusive I think? It does show that if the 1970 sets were issued for sale as soon as the minting began, they could have been available from (maybe) 1971 but more likely 1972 given the pressure on in 1971.

What did surprise me was the number of 1970 sets minted. Getting on for 5 million. More than I thought.

[Peckris 579]

Some really useful information there, AardHawk

Yes, indeed. If you discount all the reports other than the numbered #102 etc (otherwise it gets confusing!), it's plain to see that the 1970 sets were produced from 1971/2 through to 1976, the 1971 sets from 1973 to 1976, and the 1972-1976 series from 1975/6.

That's pretty conclusive I think? It does show that if the 1970 sets were issued for sale as soon as the minting began, they could have been available from (maybe) 1971 but more likely 1972 given the pressure on in 1971.

What did surprise me was the number of 1970 sets minted. Getting on for 5 million. More than I thought.

You've fallen for the same confusion I had at first! It wasn't until I re-read for the 3rd or 4th time that the "penny dropped", so to speak. Some of those reports talk about coins minted, the others talk about sets. As there are 8 coins in the 1970 set, that should square the calculation hopefully?

[scottishmoney 29]

There are more than a few of those 1970 sets floating around, even here - I know I have a few that I have picked up, sometimes only for a $1 each.

[1949threepence 3,367]

On the subject of 1970's proof sets, Gouby notes the following with regard to toning:-

I have looked at several 100's of proof sets from

1970 - 1982 and note that over 95% of ALL of these

sets have coins, in each set, that are starting to tone.

It is normally the copper coins that start to tone first but

the cupro-nickle coins can also show some signs of toning.

A possible cause is that the glue the Royal Mint

used in these early sets are having this adverse

effect on the coins locked in these sealed units !?

It is possible that eventually one day

ALL of these sets will become toned !

I've noticed this on my 1970 set ~ penny and halfpenny.

[Peckris 579]

On the subject of 1970's proof sets, Gouby notes the following with regard to toning:-

I have looked at several 100's of proof sets from

1970 - 1982 and note that over 95% of ALL of these

sets have coins, in each set, that are starting to tone.

It is normally the copper coins that start to tone first but

the cupro-nickle coins can also show some signs of toning.

A possible cause is that the glue the Royal Mint

used in these early sets are having this adverse

effect on the coins locked in these sealed units !?

It is possible that eventually one day

ALL of these sets will become toned !

I've noticed this on my 1970 set ~ penny and halfpenny.

The 1973 set is by far the worst : I'm lucky enough to have a perfect set but it took some hunting down. All the ones I sold I had to break, sell the good coins individually, and virtually give away the bad ones. I remember one set that had the ugliest 5p you ever saw, and this was a proof! Unless they changed the glue for one year only, I'd also suspect the dyes used in the foam insert - 1973 is the only year they used that bright red so that would be my guess.

[bilnic 0]

Looks like the question still hasn't been answered.

I will quote from the COIN YEARBOOK 2007, which is the only one I've got.

1970 Proof Last £sd coins (issued from 1972) Halfcrown-halfpenny (8 coins) ... ... FDC £18

1971 Proof (issued 1973) 50p-half penny (6 coins) ... ... FDC £12

1972 Proof (issued 1976) 50p-half penny (7 coins including Silver Wedding crown) ... ... FDC £15

1973 Proof (issued 1976) 50p-half penny (6 coins) ... ... FDC £14

1974 Proof (issued 1976) 50p-half penny (6 coins) ... ... FDC £16

1975 Proof (issued 1976) 50p-half penny (6 coins) ... ... FDC £16

1976 Proof 50p-half penny (6 coins) ... ... FDC £16

Hope this helps.

Bill.

Later years similar to 1976, without an issue year quoted.

[bilnic 0]

Looks like the question still hasn't been answered.

I will quote from the COIN YEARBOOK 2007, which is the only one I've got.

1970 Proof Last £sd coins (issued from 1972) Halfcrown-halfpenny (8 coins) ... ... FDC £18

1971 Proof (issued 1973) 50p-half penny (6 coins) ... ... FDC £12

1972 Proof (issued 1976) 50p-half penny (7 coins including Silver Wedding crown) ... ... FDC £15

1973 Proof (issued 1976) 50p-half penny (6 coins) ... ... FDC £14

1974 Proof (issued 1976) 50p-half penny (6 coins) ... ... FDC £16

1975 Proof (issued 1976) 50p-half penny (6 coins) ... ... FDC £16

1976 Proof 50p-half penny (6 coins) ... ... FDC £16

Later years are similar to 1976 without an issue date quoted.

Hope this helps.

Bill.

[bilnic 0]

Oops, sorry for the duplication, my editing went awry. I'll try harder next time.

Bill.

[Peckris 579]

Oops, sorry for the duplication, my editing went awry. I'll try harder next time.

Bill.

Wow, if we'd only looked at a COIN YEARBOOK, we could have saved a lot of time! Thanks bilnic. (It was a fun discussion for all that.)

[bilnic 0]

My pleasure.

Last weekend, I created a small group aimed at newcomers but which may be of interest. It is called 'Collecting UK Decimal Coins' and the address is http://groups.to/ukcoins but it is via Facebook, so you have to be a member of that first. I hope that nobody minds me advertising it here. UK decimals are such a small part of the coin world that I thought that a simple group dealing with that subject might be useful.

If there's ever any way that I can be of assistance on the subject, please contact me, and I will also keep watching here to see if there's any assistance that I can give.

Bill.

[scottishmoney 29]

Gees, you guys need to buy your 1970 sets in the USA, where I have bought them for about $1 even in recent years.