Designs by Norman Sillman

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This very British-looking design commemorates the 16th Mint Directors' Conference of 1990.

I suspect that this was intended to be a medal.

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1960 1 dong coin for Vietnam.  President Ngo Dinh Diem, portrayed on the obverse, was assassinated in 1963.




Mr Sillman's notes state: "Coin portrait for Vietnam".

 

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Mr Sillman's notes for this piece state: Official medal - First Fleet to Australia. 

A fine ship design graces the reverse.

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A majestic conjoint portrait of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

This design commemorated their 40th wedding anniversary.

Mr Sillman's notes state: "Medal for Metal Import Ltd".

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A design commemorating the Queen's 70th birthday. 

My suspicion is that this one was never issued, or certainly not as a coin.

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Jamaica, $10, 1993. 40th anniversary of the Queen's coronation.




Mr Sillman's initial sketch of his design.




Mr Sillman's plaster cast of his design.

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Gambia, 10 dalasis, 1996. 

Queen Elizabeth inspects the Guard of Honour on her visit to Gambia.




Mr Sillman's plaster cast of his design.

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East Caribbean States, 10 dollars, 1996. 

The Queen's 70th birthday.

The Royal Yacht, with St Lucia in the background.




Mr Sillman's plaster cast of his design.

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To finish, another of Mr Sillman's designs depicting the Queen's 70th birthday.

It looks familiar, yet I can't place the actual issue.

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Kenya, 5 shillings, 1985.  President Daniel arap Moi.




And here is the original plaster of Mr Sillman's superb portrait.

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"The Battle of the Armada, 1588." 

This looks like another intended coin design that was never issued.

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This attractive design evidently commemorated the 50th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.


Unfortunately, it appears that it was never issued as a coin.

Note the highly realistic portrayal of the lamb's posture.

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Oman, 1 riyal, 1997.  Mountain gazelle.




Mr Sillman's talent for depicting wildlife is apparent once more.

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Oman, 1 riyal, 1997.  Leopard.




This was the other plaster created by Mr Sillman for this two-coin set.

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"The Battle of the Armada, 1588."  This looks like another intended coin design that was never issued.

One possible reason may be that the two Spanish ships in the background seem to profit from a different direction of the wind than the "Golden Hind" in the foreground. In addition, the Armada was defeated by storms, so it is unlikely that the ships would have been under full sail at any time. I also think Drake was smarter than to attack two big Spanish galleons crossing his tee with his much smaller ship.

Peter