A Historic Final Chapter of British Coinage

This listing offers a remarkable and historically significant piece of British numismatics. It is a 1970 Royal Mint proof set of pre-decimal coinage from Great Britain and Northern Ireland, a complete collection representing the final year of a monetary system that had served the nation for centuries. The set includes the Half Crown, Florin, English Shilling, Scottish Shilling, Penny, Halfpenny, and Farthing, all encased in a purple velvet-lined display within a protective plastic cover. The reverse of the coins showcases various national symbols and historical figures, with the obverse featuring the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Mary Gillick, the first woman in British history to design a coin.

The End of an Era: Decimalisation in 1971

For centuries, Britain relied on a complex system of pounds, shillings, and pence, with twelve pennies in a shilling and twenty shillings in a pound. On 15 February 1971, known as Decimal Day, the United Kingdom adopted a decimal system with 100 pennies to the pound, marking a major turning point for the nation's currency and The Royal Mint.

The 1970 proof set is particularly significant because no pre-decimal coins were struck for circulation in 1970. This set was the only way to obtain coins dated 1970, making it the final official issue of the old coinage before decimalisation. It was one of the first modern Proof sets to be produced by The Royal Mint and remains a highly desirable collector's item.

Coins Included in This Set

The set includes the Half Crown with a Cecil Thomas design, the Florin with an Edgar Fuller and Cecil Thomas design, the English Shilling with a William Maving Gardner design, the Scottish Shilling with a William Maving Gardner design, the Penny with a Charles Walter Coombes design, the Halfpenny with a Thomas Humphrey Paget design featuring the Golden Hind, and the Farthing with a Harold Wilson Parker design.

Product Specifications

Year: 1970
Country: United Kingdom
Issuer: The Royal Mint
Finish: Proof
Number of Coins: 8
Presentation: Purple velvet-lined display within protective plastic cover
Obverse: Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Mary Gillick
Historical Significance: Final year of pre-decimal coinage before Decimal Day, 15 February 1971

Why This Set Deserves a Place in Your Collection

This set represents the end of an era, the final pre-decimal coins issued before the United Kingdom decimalised in 1971. It is an exclusive issue, as no pre-decimal coins were struck for circulation in 1970, making this set the only way to own coins dated 1970. It features Royal Mint proof quality, struck to Proof standard with mirror-like fields and sharply defined details. It is a complete set, including all major pre-decimal denominations from the halfpenny to the half crown. Most of all, it holds historic significance, representing the culmination of Britain's centuries-old monetary system before the modern decimal era.

This set is more than currency. It is a historic final chapter of British coinage, offering a complete proof set of the last pre-decimal coins issued before the nation's monetary system was transformed forever. For the discerning collector, it represents a truly significant and desirable acquisition.

The auction is live. Sets of this caliber do not appear often. Place your bid and secure this remarkable piece of history for your collection.

Dimensions:
Height 7.5, Width 6, Depth 0.5 inches
Weight 1 lb

Condition:
Good, with some wear to the outer cover consistent with age. The coins appear to be in excellent proof condition.

Your purchase is protected:
In the rare event that the item did not conform to the lot description in the sale, Chairish Auctions specialists are here to help. Buyers may return the item for a full refund provided you notify Chairish Auctions within 5 days of receiving the item.

• Low Estimate: 100.00
• High Estimate: 200.00