Design-wise, coins can be split into two categories: standard circulation designs and commemorative designs. The commemorative coins can then be split into those that are intended to circulate and those that are not. I am excluding bullion coins, such as the gold and silver Britannia coins, etc., which belong to an entirely different category and often carry a standard design, year on year.
The first circulating commemorative that I saw in the UK was the 50 pence of 1973. It wasn't until 1992 that I saw the next circulating commemorative 50p, celebrating the UK's presidency of the EU. However, the design of the modern pound coin, first introduced in 1983, carried a different design each year, sometimes representing the UK as whole, sometimes one of its constituent countries. So perhaps "special" or "non-standard" design would be a better term than commemorative, since those pound coins do not "commemorate" a country.
These circulation coins with non-standard designs have become far more common in recent years. In the UK, we have non-standard 50 pence, one pound and two pound coins most years. In recent years, there have sometimes been two non-standard designs per denomination. For instance, there are two non-standard UK 2-pound-coins for 2015: one commemorates Magna Carta, the other remembers the First World War.
Then there are non-standard denominations that circulate. These are much rarer. In the UK I think of the 1977 Jubilee crown, with a face value of 25 pence - though this was not shown on the coin! One was given to every schoolchild, and as you can imagine, many just wanted to spend them on sweets in the shops! So, this non-standard denomination did circulate to some extent, though that was not the original intention. I do not, then, want to include such non-standard denominations among the non-standard circulation coins.
Of the circulation coins with non-standard designs, they could perhaps be split another way: those denominations that have a standard design, such as our UK coins, but which are also issued with non-standard designs; and those circulating denominations which do not have a standard design and are issued with a different design each year.
My aim is to build a list of those countries that issue circulation coins with non-standard designs. In addition, it would be interesting to know, for each denomination, in which year the non-standard issues began; and also the issues for which in fact there never existed, or no longer exists, a standard design. That's somewhat complicated, but I hope it makes sense. Please post details about your own country's coins or any others you know about.
THE UK.
The UK first issued a circulating commemorative 50 pence coin in 1973. See above. The next commemorative 50p did not appear until 1992. It was dated 1992-1993 so covered two years. There have been gaps since then: in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2008 and 2012. Two commemorative 50 pence coins were issued in 1998, 2006 and 2013.
UK 50 pence designs. (http://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/coin-design-and-specifications/fifty-pence-coin)
The UK varied its pound coins designs from 1983, the date of its introduction, until 2007 - though some were repeated in a five-year cycle. In 2008 a whole new design series was issued, with a standard design pound as part of the so called jigsaw series. Since 2010 we have had additionally two non-standard designs of the pound coins per year, on a country theme, e.g. Scotland etc.
UK one pound coin designs. (http://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/coin-design-and-specifications/one-pound-coin)
Since 1997 we have had a standard circulating 2 pound coin. The first circulating commemorative, for the Rugby World Cup, was issued in 1999. There was no such issue in 2000, but since then we have had sometimes one, often two, and in 2013, three such issues.
UK 2 pound coin designs. (http://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/coin-design-and-specifications/two-pound-coin)
There aren't many bronze & copper pieces that fit the brief. These French "Monnaies de Visite" may have been intended as souvenirs, but almost certainly circulated as 10 centimes. the two from Lille also were issued on 5 centime blanks
(http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt14/microtome/monnaiesdevisite.jpg) (http://s593.photobucket.com/user/microtome/media/monnaiesdevisite.jpg.html)
David
Italy, 10 centessimi, commemoration 50 yrs of the unified Nation
(http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt14/microtome/10Centesimi1911R.jpg) (http://s593.photobucket.com/user/microtome/media/10Centesimi1911R.jpg.html)
David
And these pennies from Jersey were for circulation, though many became tourist souvenirs
(http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt14/microtome/commempennies.jpg) (http://s593.photobucket.com/user/microtome/media/commempennies.jpg.html)
David
The monnaies de visite were not intended to be used as money, but they were. The intention was to keep the visitors from stealing, because protocol didn't allow detection, let alone capture of thieves, so during the visit, only medals were struck. The copper ones were freely available for those who attended, including mint staff and offered for sale as a souvenir to the public. The silver ones were distributed among the dignitaries. The gold specimen was presented to the royals. The coppers are often found worn, so they had ended up in circulation.
A similar trick for mint visits was used in the Netherlands. They did not enter into circulation.
There was a host of later French circulating commemoratives, ranging in denomination from 1 to 20 francs. Like in all euro zone countries, the 2 euro commemoratives of EU members that use the euro can be found in circulation.
Peter
Thanks Peter, that's how I had interpreted these French "10 centime" pieces. Officially issued but not as legal tender, so not listed in Le Franc, but included by VG. Do you have any idea of the mintages, I found the Paris type hard to track down?
David
riks.jpg
There is a fun story connected to the first Dutch circulating commemorative.
King Willem III had three sons. He survived all three. By that time, his marriage was a shambles. His wife died in 1877 and the kingdom had no heir. One candidate after another refused to marry Willem, who had a very difficult character and was a serial adulterer. At that point, 20-year old Emma of Waldeck-Pyrmont agreed to a marriage to the 61-year old Willem. A daughter, Wilhelmina, was born in 1880. Willem died in 1890.
Emma became regent, diligently repairing the damage done to the family and their function by Willem III. Without her, the country could well have chosen to become a republic. Emma and Wilhelmina were as popular as Willem had been unpopular. The regency ended in 1898, because Wilhelmina reached legal age that year. By 1897, the government prepared the issue of a special rijksdaalder (2½ gulden) that would be issued on coronation day. The designer, Pander, got it just right, with a charming portrait of a young lady.
The problem was that it took the die sinker, the Frenchman Paul Tasset, until 1900 to come up with a die. Therefore, the rijksdaalder 1898 was issued only in 1900. No matter. It was wildly popular, so the dies were hastily reduced for other denominations. The intended commemorative eventually became a whole series of silver and gold coins. The rijksdaalder was struck in 1900 only with a mintage of 100 000, retaining its character of a commemorative. The other denominations were struck until 1902 with the frozen coronation date 1898.
Later circulating commemoratives were issued with denominations of 1, 2½ and 5 gulden.
Peter
Quote from: davidrj on January 04, 2015, 11:47:52 AM
Do you have any idea of the mintages, I found the Paris type hard to track down?
In view of the character of the coppers, I doubt that mintage records were kept. Otherwise, the mintage and sales records would have shown how many had been stolen. The coppers are common in circulated condition, hard to find in the condition you are showing. The gold specimen have a mintage of one or two. Silver was probably 20 to 30.
Peter
Was not the 1965 Churchill crown a circulation piece?
The US Washington quarter was a circulation commemorative, as issued in 1932.
Quote from: bgriff99 on January 04, 2015, 02:01:59 PM
Was not the 1965 Churchill crown a circulation piece?
No, it was a crown, i.e. 5 shillings, and 38mm in diameter, therefore very large and not a convenient circulation piece. The highest coin in circulation in 1965 was a half crown (two shillings and sixpence), and that still bought you a lot in those days - enough sweets to make a child sick. I remember an uncle showing his Churchill crown to family members - they all held it very respectfully by the edges so as not to get any fingermarks on it while admiring it. It was meant as a keepsake, and I never heard of it circulating.
Quote from: Figleaf on January 04, 2015, 11:19:14 AM
The monnaies de visite were not intended to be used as money, but they were.
Peter
Thanks for the info. The UK seems to have been issued no circulating commemoratives in predecimal times. Now in recent years we have a surfeit of them.
There is an earlier commemorative copper coin, that I had forgotten about :-
Belgium 1853 10 Centimes for the wedding of the Duke of Brabant I've got one somewhere in pretty ropey condition, so I assume that circulated, but probably not for long as the large copper 10 centimes were unpopular
sorry can't find a photo either, but one here
http://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces272.html
David
Here (http://www.worldofcoins.eu/forum/index.php/topic,313.0) is a thread relating to those. One of our first. Another case of pieces not intended as coins, but used like coins.
Peter
So, anyone suggest the first commemorative coin intended for circulation?
I'm thinking milled, I understand some Roman issues could be considered such
David
Australia first issued a commemorative florin back in 1927 with the opening of the new Parliament House in Canberra. Followed by another in 1934, the 1934-35 Centenary of Melbourne Florin – one of Australia's rarest issued predecimal dates.
Another florin commemorated 50 years of Federation of Australia followed by one for the Royal Visit of 1954; commemorating the first visit of a reigning monarch to Australia.
Three out of these four I encountered in circulation before D-day 1966.
A commemorative crown was issued for George VI's coronation in 1937 and intended for circulation, followed by another in 1938 which was soon aborted owing to the public rejecting these coins as too unwieldy after questions were asked in Parliament.
The commemorative florins (http://www.worldofcoins.eu/forum/index.php/topic,12529.msg85852.html#msg85852) were an interesting feature of Australian numismatics.
In recent years, circulation commemoratives have become very common in Australia. To my knowledge, they involve, though not necessarily every year, the following denominations: 20c, 50c, $1 and $2. How many commemorative types of each denomination are typically issued each year? Have there ever been any $5 circulation commemoratives? Of course, Australia has also had some circulating states/territories commemoratives - how many, I can't remember, though I think that each series was limited to a single year.
Quote from: davidrj on January 04, 2015, 08:50:09 PMSo, anyone suggest the first commemorative coin intended for circulation?
I'm thinking milled, I understand some Roman issues could be considered such
Bergwerk.jpg
That depends on what you call milled. I would define it as struck by machines (in a mill), rather than struck by hammer. That would make especially the low dominations of the
Ausbeute (mine exploitation) and
Segen des Bergwerks (blessing of the mines) coins of Braunschweig a good contender. There are older coins than the one attached in the series. Their Schauthalers did not circulate.
I know of two Roman commemoratives. Both are beaten by the Greek commemoratives issued by Olympia for their games. Why exclude hammered coins?
Peter
Quote from: <k> on January 04, 2015, 09:54:25 PM
The commemorative florins (http://www.worldofcoins.eu/forum/index.php/topic,12529.msg85852.html#msg85852) were an interesting feature of Australian numismatics.
In recent years, circulation commemoratives have become very common in Australia. To my knowledge, they involve, though not necessarily every year, the following denominations: 20c, 50c, $1 and $2. How many commemorative types of each denomination are typically issued each year? Have there ever been any $5 circulation commemoratives? Of course, Australia has also had some circulating states/territories commemoratives - how many, I can't remember, though I think that each series was limited to a single year.
A difficult question to answer with so many pieces being issued in some years while in other years there were none. Likewise the various denominations issued had many or none. Perhaps this Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commemorative_coins_of_Australia) listing is the best answer showing all that have been issued up to the present time. The numerous non-circulation collector coins are shown here too but these are, very fortunately, listed separately.
There have never been any $5 commemoratives issued for circulation.
Thanks, that's a very useful resource.
Quote from: Figleaf on January 04, 2015, 11:18:32 PM
That depends on what you call milled. I would define it as struck by machines (in a mill), rather than struck by hammer. That would make especially the low dominations of the Ausbeute (mine exploitation) and Segen des Bergwerks (blessing of the mines) coins of Braunschweig a good contender.
Fair point, I was trying to keep the thread within the the realm of the original topic, ie modern base metal coins. Good gold and silver would always be acceptable as bullion
David
I had some lower value coins in my collection. They were definitely worn from circulation or I wouldn't have bought them. I am a bit suspicious about the higher values, like the one pictured above, as I haven't seen any with circulation wear. However, quite some time ago, I read a contemporary letter that mentioned them. If I remember well, it was something like there was a shortage of small change in the town where the author lived until the mining Thalers came in.
Peter
I was looking for a similar Wikipedia page on New Zealand circulating commemoratives, malj1, but I can't find one. Do you know NZ's policies?
What I would like to ask of our members in general is:
1] Does your country regularly issue circulating commemoratives?
2] If so, in which denominations, and how many issues per year (usually) of each denomination?
3] Euro enthusiasts, does each euro zone member have a similar policy?
We have members from many countries, so we should be able to get an overview of the policies of several of these countries. Please post your thoughts on your own country's policies.
Quote from: <k> on January 06, 2015, 11:54:14 AM
I was looking for a similar Wikipedia page on New Zealand circulating commemoratives, malj1, but I can't find one. Do you know NZ's policies?
I found this:
Commemorative Currency
To mark special occasions or to honour people, commemorative coins are produced from time to time by the Reserve Bank and are marketed by NZ Post Limited. These are legal tender coin products, but do not circulate.
Source (http://www.rbnz.govt.nz/notes_and_coins/coins/0094086.html) from the horse's mouth ;D I guess this says it all.
Thanks for that. I'm quite surprised to hear that NZ commems do not circulate. In the UK and Australia they are plentiful.
According to that link, NZ has not issued any commemorative below $1, whereas Australia has issued 20c and 50c commemoratives. In both countries, the highest standard circulation coin is $2.
Quote from: <k> on January 06, 2015, 11:54:14 AM
Does your country regularly issue circulating commemoratives?
Oh y€$. ;)
QuoteIf so, in which denominations, and how many issues per year (usually) of each denomination?
In the euro area, each member may now issue up to two commems (€2) per year. Or three if there is a common issue. In the Federal Republic of Germany it was a little different before the euro: The 2 DM coins were "commem only" after 1957, i.e. there were no "regular" 2 DM pieces. Also, they were issued to commemorate some anniversary but were minted for several years. With the 5 DM coins it depended - they circulated (to some extent) as long as they had the same specifications as the corresponding circulation coin.
Quotedoes each euro zone member have a similar policy?
Not really. Some make full use of the 2(+1) maximum, others issue just one per year, and some (e.g. Ireland, and Austria with one exception in 2005) stay out completely. That is, they participate in the common issues, but that's it.
Christian
Thanks for that. It's good to know that the silly denominations do not circulate, such as the French ¼ euro coins. ::)
Ah, those quarters (and €2.50, €3, €5, €8, €10, €12, etc.) pieces are not commemorative coins but collector coins. ;D And no, the latter do not circulate, see here (http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/euro/cash/coins/pdf/types_coins_en.pdf) or in the euro topics.
Christian
So who is next to give us an overview of their country's policies regarding circulation commemoratives? How about our Indian members? ;)
In Pakistan, all commemoratives up to and including 2 rupees circulate. The first was issued in 1977 (50 paisa Jinnah).
Peter
Quote from: <k> on January 08, 2015, 05:01:48 PM
So who is next to give us an overview of their country's policies regarding circulation commemoratives? How about our Indian members? ;)
OK, so I was wrong, we don't have any Indian members on the forum.
Over to Europe now. Calling Miner! Russia issues lots of commemorative coins, but how many are intended for circulation? And if they do circulate, which denominations are used, and how many commemorative types are typically issued for each denomination?
Quote from: <k> on January 08, 2015, 05:01:48 PM
So who is next to give us an overview of their country's policies regarding circulation commemoratives? How about our Indian members? ;)
In India, commemorative coins are issued for circulation in following denominations: ₹2 (steel), ₹5 (nickel brass) and ₹10 (bimetallic). All these denominations circulate, ₹10 in not frequently seen though.
Aditya
Quote from: Figleaf on January 08, 2015, 05:32:00 PM
In Pakistan, all commemoratives up to and including 2 rupees circulate. The first was issued in 1977 (50 paisa Jinnah).
I believe that 20 Rupees commemorative coins of Pakistan also circulate; to a less extent though.
Aditya
One important criterion, I think, is what I mentioned in an earlier post: If a commemorative coin has the very same technical specifications as a "corresponding" circulation coin, that helps. :) Think of Poland for example: They had those commemorative 2 złote coins for several years which could be had at face. But since the regular 2 zł pieces were different (size, composition, etc.), the former did not actually circulate. The new 5 złotych pieces are like normal fivers ...
Mintage and distribution are other decisive points. Do I have to pick a commem up at a (central or commercial) bank myself, or will retailers get them through regular channels, and then give them out to customers?
In the US, for example, the "special" quarters (SQ, ATB) circulate pretty normally. $1 coins ... not really, also because the "regular", non-commem, pieces are often frowned upon. Don't know about Russia, but in Denmark the 20 kroner "theme" coins (towers, ships ...) were issued for and used in circulation.
Christiann
Quote from: chrisild on January 11, 2015, 08:59:56 AM
One important criterion, I think, is what I mentioned in an earlier post: If a commemorative coin has the very same technical specifications as a "corresponding" circulation coin, that helps. :) Think of Poland for example: They had those commemorative 2 złote coins for several years which could be had at face. But since the regular 2 zł pieces were different (size, composition, etc.), they did not actually circulate. The new 5 złotych pieces are like normal fivers ...
Indian commemorative coins follow that criteria as well. :) All Indian commemorative (all denominations) coins have same technical specifications as regular coins...
Aditya
Thanks, Aditya. Which denominations are used for commemoratives and which circulate was something I didn't know. There are coins, and then there is the human side: how they are used, which is just as important.
Quote from: chrisild on January 11, 2015, 08:59:56 AM
If a commemorative coin has the very same technical specifications as a "corresponding" circulation coin, that helps.
Christiann
Yes, that's true, "Christiann". ;) That's why I am always surprised when Americans think that the Churchill crown circulated here in the UK. We did not have a circulation coin of those specifications. A half crown was our highest denomination back in the 1960s.
Quote from: Bimat on January 11, 2015, 08:37:11 AM
I believe that 20 Rupees commemorative coins of Pakistan also circulate; to a less extent though.
In Pakistan, circulation coins are currently only Rupee 1 and Rupees 2.
They are made of Aluminium since 2007.
There is a striking press in Lahore mint which strikes Copper Nickel coins.
It was used for striking 5 Rupees coins.
Last of them was struck in 2006.
Since then, they have been issuing circulating commemorative coins in Copper Nickel, of progressively higher denominations.
The denominations have been Rupees 10 and 20 with latest one being of Rupees 25.
Same sequence is true for Iran and Nepal.
Iran has gone up to 5000 Rials whereas Nepal had struck Rupees 50 in their own mint at Kathmandu.
Circulations coins of Iran are only up to 500 Rials and struck at Tehran mint.
Quote from: Bimat on January 11, 2015, 08:02:59 AM
In India, commemorative coins are issued for circulation in following denominations: ₹2 (steel), ₹5 (nickel brass) and ₹10 (bimetallic).
The last commemorative coins of Rupee 1 and Rupees 2 were RBI 75 th anniversary, struck in steel.
Last 5 Rupees in Steel commem Bhagat Singh was dated 2007 but issued 2012.
Rest Rs 5 coins for quite some time have been in Nickel Brass.
So these countries (Pakistan, Iran, Nepal) issue circulating commemoratives in denominations far higher than the standard circulation coins. Intriguing. That doesn't happen in the UK.
Quote from: <k> on January 10, 2015, 10:16:34 PM
Russia issues lots of commemorative coins, but how many are intended for circulation? And if they do circulate, which denominations are used, and how many commemorative types are typically issued for each denomination?
Russia issued a large number of commemorative coins of 1, 2, 5 and 10 Roubles.
They are of same specification as general circulation coins and are available at face value.
In addition, it issues commemoratives of 10 Roubles which are bimetallic and hence not expected to circulate although their montages are very high.
In addition, it issues 25 Rouble coins which have a standard specification, as per their central bank.
These have been issued to commem Sochi Olympics with different years, which is another indication that they are expected to circulate.
Quote from: <k> on January 12, 2015, 01:51:31 PM
So these countries (Pakistan, Iran, Nepal) issue circulating commemoratives in denominations far higher than the standard circulation coins. Intriguing. That doesn't happen in the UK.
In high inflation economy, countries tend to avoid going for progressively higher denomination circulation coins. In other words, they tend to avoid shifting of coin- note boundary to avoid conspicuous display of their failure to manage their economy. In many such countries, coins progressively disappear as their normal function of mode of exchange vanishes. Later, it requires a strong and knowledgable leader ( both traits are rarely found together in one person) to return economy on to the rails.
Quote from: <k> on January 12, 2015, 01:51:31 PM
So these countries (Pakistan, Iran, Nepal) issue circulating commemoratives in denominations far higher than the standard circulation coins. Intriguing. That doesn't happen in the UK.
UK mint keeps on issuing coins of 5 Pounds and above.
Most of the times, they are base metal coin.
It terms them as legal tender and issues unlimited quantities at face value with the hope that they will circulate.
A 100 Pounds coin is one such recent example.
Unfortunately, the coin- note boundary is never shifted.
Only if the bank notes of those denominations are stopped, the public would accept them as circulation coins.
In the countries referred above, the currency notes of the same denomination still continue so general acceptance of higher denomination coins is rather poor. It is true for quite a almost all countries in the world. Even Euroland has countries issuing coins on 2.5, 3, 5 and 10 euros which are announced as legal tender within their own countries but ECB could not care less.
Quote from: Pabitra on January 12, 2015, 02:51:20 PM
UK mint keeps on issuing coins of 5 Pounds and above.
Most of the times, they are base metal coin.
It terms them as legal tender and issues unlimited quantities at face value with the hope that they will circulate.
Presumably it benefits the Exchequer more if the collector coins are not spent. In any case, newspapers have reported that shops are reluctant to accept 5 pound coins, etc. I doubt that the Royal Mint has any position on this - it just wants to sell collector coins to make some extra profit. Of course, if a 5 pound coin were introduced as a standard circulation coin, then presumably the Royal Mint would welcome this, as it would mean more business. However, only the Treasury can decide to introduce new circulating denominations.
Quote from: <k> on January 12, 2015, 03:33:49 PM
Of course, if a 5 pound coin were introduced as a standard circulation coin, then presumably the Royal Mint would welcome this, as it would mean more business. However, only the Treasury can decide to introduce new circulating denominations.
Yes, that indeed is the prerogative of the Treasury.
I have a nagging feeling that UK is undercoined. In other words, it should go in for redesign ( after redesign of 1 Pound bimetallic) for new 2 Pounds and 5 Pounds coins.
My thumb rule is that tube fare should be payable in coins alone.
In most of the Europe, metro fares are less that 2 Euros, which is the highest coin in circulation.
If I get a graduate research assistant in Economics or MBA Finance, I will get this study done this year. I want to identify countries which are undercoined, with reference to purchasing parity exchange rate as well as per Capita income. In USA, I think, the fact that quarter is the highest coin in day to day transactions, indicates that usage pattern needs to be studied.