Comments on "Milestones in the decimal coinage of the Falkland Islands"

[<k>]

Parent topic:  Milestones in the decimal coinage of the Falkland Islands


The parent topic (above) gives an overview of the Falkland Islands' circulation coinage since 1974. Please post any comments, questions or corrections here.

[<k>]

Questions I have myself:

1] Does the Falkland 2004 two pound coin actually circulate on the islands?

2] The UK had demonetised its large 5p and 10p coins by the end of June 1993. The Falklands did not follow suit with smaller versions of its own coins until 1998. Did the larger UK coins still circulate until then?

[FosseWay]

I presume so.

There's a precedent for obsolete UK currency continuing in use somewhere else after it's been withdrawn in the UK. Malta used predecimal UK coinage until 1972, a year after most of the coins ceased to be used in the UK.

[Alan71]

Regarding the Rank-Broadley portrait mentioned in the posts today: there was a 50p issue dated 2003 with this portrait.  I have a couple of examples and they are often seen on eBay.  I didn't get one until long after 2004, so I surmise they were issued after then (with sufficient stocks of the 1998 issued before then).  As far as I know that's the only denomination with a date before 2004 that uses the Rank-Broadley portrait.

Regarding the lack of a 50p coin until 1980: In an email to me from Phil Middleton of Falkland Collectibles in 2005 he states "The 50 pence note replaced the 10/- note in 1969, with a further edition in 1974.  This was replaced by the 50 pence coin in 1980."

[<k>]

Thank you, Alan.  I have amended my text accordingly:

IRB Portrait.

Here is the relevant page from Falkland 50 pence of 2003.

[andyg]

Regarding the Rank-Broadley portrait mentioned in the posts today: there was a 50p issue dated 2003 with this portrait.  I have a couple of examples and they are often seen on eBay.  I didn't get one until long after 2004, so I surmise they were issued after then (with sufficient stocks of the 1998 issued before then).  As far as I know that's the only denomination with a date before 2004 that uses the Rank-Broadley portrait.

Someone, who posts on this forum occasionally, bought a 2003 IRB 1p recently on ebay.  I have never seen another one before or since.

[<k>]

Regarding the lack of a 50p coin until 1980: In an email to me from Phil Middleton of Falkland Collectibles in 2005 he states "The 50 pence note replaced the 10/- note in 1969, with a further edition in 1974.  This was replaced by the 50 pence coin in 1980."

Thank you once more, Alan. You are working me hard tonight, and I am on double time after 18:00. Just be careful you don't bankrupt yourself. 

[Alan71]

Questions I have myself:

1] Does the Falkland 2004 two pound coin actually circulate on the islands?

2] The UK had demonetised its large 5p and 10p coins by the end of June 1993. The Falklands did not follow suit with smaller versions of its own coins until 1998. Did the larger UK coins still circulate until then?

In answer to these old questions, in the same email I quoted from earlier, dated 26 April 2005, Phil Middleton said:
1] "This brilliant set of coins are all dated 2004. [I was buying a set from him]. Coins of this date have not yet entered circulation as we are still using coins dated 1998, or for the one pound coin only dated 2000.  The Two Pound coin is now in current use.  You are correct in that the design is based on the millennium coin [Crown-sized bi-metal commemorative], but has slightly different wording, as the millennium coin was never intended for circulation."

"Incidentally all the two pound coins in circulation have a smudge mark which looks like the Queen is blowing her nose!! [doesn't look as bad as that in reality]. The minor imperfection does not occur in the brilliant set."

2] Nothing specific. "From around 1840, English coins were used as currency, and are still in use in parallel to the Island currency."

Therefore likely that UK large 5p/10p/50p did circulate prior to the smaller issues in 1998, but may have been scarce in numbers.  "The change in size for the coins all occurred at the same time in 1998" was all he said on that.

Phil Middleton's website: http://www.falklandcollectibles.com/index.php

[<k>]

Thanks, Alan. One question - or maybe I'm missing something:

"This brilliant set of coins are all dated 2004. Coins of this date have not yet entered circulation as we are still using coins dated 1998, or for the one pound coin only dated 2000.  The Two Pound coin is now in current use."

But to my knowledge, the Falklands did not issue their first circulation 2 pound coins until 2004. Surely the 38mm collector versions were not in circulation?

[Alan71]

Yes, I noticed that as well.  I had to check I was reading it correctly from the hard-copy email I'd saved.  Contradicts himself there.  I think he means the coins from 1p to £1 dated 2004 weren't at that point in circulation, but the £2 coin with that date was.

It appears to confirm my earlier suggestion that the 2003-dated 50p was not in circulation at the time of the email (2005) as he mentions 1998 stocks.  Seems odd to issue a coin with a previous date when a later date is already available in sets.

[<k>]

I think he means the coins from 1p to £1 dated 2004 weren't at that point in circulation, but the £2 coin with that date was.

Yes, makes sense.

[Figleaf]

I am pretty sure the animal on the coat of arms is a ewe, not a ram. When the device is on the coin, you call it a sheep, which is nice and neutral. Inconsistency is the mother of amusement.

Even less relevant, but more fun: there is a story that the Falkland Islands penguins were fascinated by British Harriers. Pilots had noticed this and flew as low and slow as possible over penguin beaches. The poor penguins would gape at the funny flying machines, not turning around as the aircraft passed but falling over in droves. Great story, except for a little detail. It ain't true. Oh well.

Peter

[<k>]

I am pretty sure the animal on the coat of arms is a ewe, not a ram. When the device is on the coin, you call it a sheep, which is nice and neutral. Inconsistency is the mother of amusement.

As you said, heraldry is a law unto itself. There's probably a rule that says there are no ewes in heraldry: it has to be a ram, even if it has no horns. 

[Figleaf]

I just had to look that up. You're partially right. Heraldic sheep have no horns, but heraldic rams have (usually exaggerated) horns. In other words, you can have sheep and rams in heraldry, but no ewes. Source: Heraldiek en Genealogie by Cornelis Pama.

Peter

[<k>]

OK, I've changed the word to "sheep", since the animal on the 20 pence coin is officially described as a sheep, and it's clearly taken from the coat of arms. I've also re-posted most of the topic. I'd intended simply to give the topic a cleaner look, but after all the amendments it was left with so many "Last edit" marks on it that it looked messier than the original topic, hence the re-post. The plans of mice and men, eh?