Guernsey Proof Set (1979)

[Bimat]

And here's the Guernsey proof set from 1979. Struck at Royal Mint.

Obverse:

Reverse:

Aditya

[<k>]

Another interesting set. The cow and lily designs were carried over from the predecimal set. Despite being a crown dependency, Guernsey's coins did not display the monarch's effigy until 1985, and even then, the stated reason for doing so was to make the coins more appealing to collectors.

The Ducal Cap on the 50 pence belongs the the Duke of Normandy - this is actually the title of the Queen when she visits the Channel Islands - yes, "Duke" and never "Duchess". And she is married to another duke: the Duke of Edinburgh.

[Bimat]

Interesting information, thanks!

Aditya

[Alan71]

This set contains two coins that were never issued for circulation, ie. they were only issued in this set.  The 50p and the 1/2p.  This is the only appearance of the 1/2p with the "Half Penny" reverse.  The only one issued to circulation was the 1971 "New Penny" reverse.  The 50p with the cap design and the "Fifty Pence" reverse would later be issued for four years dated 1981 to 1984 inclusive.

[Bimat]

This set contains two coins that were never issued for circulation, ie. they were only issued in this set.  The 50p and the 1/2p.  This is the only appearance of the 1/2p with the "Half Penny" reverse.  The only one issued to circulation was the 1971 "New Penny" reverse.  The 50p with the cap design and the "Fifty Pence" reverse would later be issued for four years dated 1981 to 1984 inclusive.

that's a welcome additional information. Thanks!

I didn't get this set intentionally; was just another eBay deal!

Aditya

[Alan71]

As has been pointed out, these designs were used from 1968 to 1984 before being replaced with the current ones.

Issue dates:
"New Penny/Pence" reverses:
1968 - 5p, 10p
1969 - 50p
1970 - 10p, 50p
1971 - 1/2p, 1p, 2p
1971 Proof Set - 6 coins 50p to 1p but 5p, 10p and 50p not issued to circulation dated 1971

Amended reverses - "New" replaced by value of coin:
1977 - 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p
1979 - 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p
1979 Proof Set - 6 coins 50p to 1p but 1/2p and 50p not issued to circulation dated 1979
1981 - 50p, £1
1981 Proof Set - 6 coins £1 to 1p but 1p, 2p, 5p and 10p not issued to circulation dated 1981
1982 - 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p
1983 - 20p, 50p, £1
1984 - 10p, 50p

[Figleaf]

The Ducal Cap on the 50 pence belongs the the Duke of Normandy - this is actually the title of the Queen when she visits the Channel Islands - yes, "Duke" and never "Duchess".

Maybe it's just a historical artefact. Here is what an expert says.

Peter

[Alan71]

The windmill that appears on the 2p in this set (and all Guernsey 2p coins issued prior to 1985) still exists but no longer has sails.  I passed it on a recent trip to Sark.  It's the only Guernsey circulation coin (not counting commemorative issues of Crowns) I know of that has used a genuine landmark as its design.