Turk and Caicos Islands: collector coins

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Several coins of the Turks and Caicos collector coins that were issued in the 1990s carry the initials LB. These coins were produced by the Osborne Coinage Company. The initials stand for Luigi Badia, a sculptor based in New York, who emigrated from Italy to the USA with his family, at the age of 10.

Above you see his portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. His initials appear at the base of the Queen's neck.

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Luigi Badia designed both sides of this collector coin.

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Turks and Caicos Islands, 20 crowns, 1999.

Luigi Badia's initials appear on the obverse of this coin, meaning that he modelled the coat of arms. Interestingly, the Franklin Mint mark appears in the exergue. I am surprised that Franklin was still minting coins at this time. The reverse design certainly looks typical of the Franklin style.

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1 crown, 1969.


The territory produced another 1 crown coin in 1986 that was almost identical to the 1969 version.

The reverse of the 1969 and 1986 1 crown coins - the coat of arms side - have the legend "TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS". To my knowledge, they are the only ones that do. All the other coins, of whichever denomination, show "TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS". Interestingly, numista.com describes both coins as standard circulation types. Surely that is wrong?

Numista also describes the half and quarter crowns of 1981 as standard circulation types. That may well be true.

Below: 1 crown, 1986.

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Looking at the diameter of the 1 crown coins on numista.com, I see that they range from 36 mm (1975) to 39.5 mm (1991), though most are around 38mm. In the UK, the standard crown size is 38.61 mm. That is one reason why I believe that the Turks and Caicos 1 crowns of 1969 and 1986 never circulated. They are simply too large and bulky to be accepted by the population.

[Big_M]

Looking at the diameter of the 1 crown coins on numista.com, I see that they range from 36 mm (1975) to 39.5 mm (1991), though most are around 38mm. In the UK, the standard crown size is 38.61 mm. That is one reason why I believe that the Turks and Caicos 1 crowns of 1969 and 1986 never circulated. They are simply too large and bulky to be accepted by the population.

Strangely, most of the 1986 coins on the market show very heavy signs of circulation.

[<k>]

Strangely, most of the 1986 coins on the market show very heavy signs of circulation.

That's interesting. So people do use them?

[<k>]

Turks and Caicos Islands, 1997, 5 Crowns.  Gold Gilt on Copper Nickel.

Mother Theresa.  A controversial issue that was recalled after protest from the Missionaries of Charity.

Image courtesy of NumisBids.

[Prosit]

Interesting coin. I have actually been to Grand Turk island.
Didn't leave the tourist area but it was fun.
That island is named after the Turk Cap Cactus which you can see on the coin's shield.

Dale

[MCz]

Interesting news, I have Mother Theresa coin (and about 50 other coins from Turks and Caicos) and I'm curious how many coins were recalled and how many remained on market.

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See also:

1] The Worldwide Usage of the Effigy of Queen Elizabeth II

2] Where to find the British Overseas Territories on this forum