Cayman Islands 1973: Coronation anniversary

[eurocoin]

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the coronation of HM Queen Elizabeth II in 1973, the Cayman Islands were planning to issue a 25 dollars collectors coin. The coin was to be minted at the Royal Canadian Mint. It was never issued because the palace authorities turned down the proposal to issue such coin, likely because the event was not considered important enough to be featured on a coin. Furthermore the Royal Mint was very concerned about a new portrait being introduced on the obverse of the coin. According to them any concession that would be made in that regard might create a situation in which other Commonwealth countries would also seek approval for the use of their own portrait of Her Majesty on their coins. That would, according to British Royal Mint, only result in some very poor designs on the coins. It is unknown who made the designs.

[SandyGuyUK]

It's interesting that this design did not go ahead in this format when one compares it with the 1973 Cook Islands coin which *was* issued and did commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Coronation.

Presumably HM did not have any concerns about the use of this portrait of her as it appeared on the *reverse* of the coin rather than the obverse?! ;-)



Image courtesy of Numista.

Ian

[eurocoin]

That is true indeed. The fact that a country wanted to introduce a different portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse of its coins sparked a discussion that went on for quite some years and eventually ended with Queen Elizabeth's opinion. She stated that she hoped that such countries that intended to use a new portrait could be persuaded to use one of the 3 approved obverse portraits by Machin, Gillick and Thomas.

What I find more interesting is the fact that the Cook Islands (John Pinches) did receive permission for a 20th anniversary of coronation coin while I, after having read Royal Mint records from that time, got the strong feeling that the Cayman Islands coin got rejected because the theme was not considered important enough.

[SandyGuyUK]

She stated that she hoped that such countries that intended to use a new portrait could be convinced to use one of the approved obverse portraits (at the time 3 versions of the Machin effigy) instead.

Can you shed any more light on the above mention of 3 versions of the Machin effigy please?  I'm intrigued! :-)

[eurocoin]

Can you shed any more light on the above mention of 3 versions of the Machin effigy please?  I'm intrigued! :-)

No need to be intrigued. After having read further communication that led up to the letter from Buckingham Palace I understand that I misinterpreted a sentence. Her Majesty was not referring to 3 versions of the Machin effigy but to the 3 at the time approved effigies by Machin, Gillick and Thomas. I have now amended my post.

[SandyGuyUK]

Ah I see. That clarifies things.  Thought I'd missed something there!

I wonder whether New Zealand had to go through lots of loops when they decided to use the James Berry portrait of QEII on their 1979 dollars?