Bahamas 1966 set: prototype sketches

[<k>]

Arnold Machin

Arnold Machin was a British artist, sculptor and coin designer.

He is best known nowadays for his famous effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

It which appeared on Britain's first decimal coins and other Commonwealth coin.

He also produced the reverse designs of the first national coinage of the Bahamas.

[<k>]

1 cent and 50 cents.

Arnold Machin produced these sketches for the coinage of the Bahamas in 1965.

They were made with pencil and white paint on green paper.

[<k>]

Designs for the dollar coin.

The design showing cornucopia was never used.

[<k>]

5 cents and 50 cents.

Flamingos and fish.

[<k>]

Some of the issued designs: 1, 5, 10, 15 and 25 cents.

[<k>]

The final design of the dollar coin.

This coin did not circulate and was for collectors only.

[<k>]

The final design of the $2 coin.

This coin did not circulate and was for collectors only.

Originally the design was intended for the circulating 25 cents.

[<k>]

Bahamas, 50 cents, 1966.

 

The 50 cents design showed a blue marlin (Makaira nigricans).

This was a collector coin only and did not circulate.

[<k>]

See also:  Bahamian Variations.

[malawi]

magnificent coins set !

one of the most beautiful in the world

[<k>]

Agreed. It's interesting to see that the fish and the flamingos ended up with more flowers than originally planned.

[malj1]

The Blue Marlin was used previously as the logo for Billy Butlin's Grand Bahama Club in the 1950s

[<k>]

Bahamas, $5, 1967.

Sketch by Arnold Machin.

Image © Royal Mint.

[<k>]

Bahamas, $5, 1967.

Sketch by Arnold Machin.

Image © Royal Mint.

[<k>]

Bahamas, $5, 1967.

Sketch by Arnold Machin.

Image © Royal Mint.