1960 British New York Exhibition Circulation Normal 5 Shillings (Crown)

1960 British Exhibition

The 1960 Crown was struck to celebrate the British Exhibition in New York in 1960. Amongst other British manufacturers, the Royal Mint had a stand, on which they were demonstrating coins being struck. The coin struck was the 1960 crown, or five shilling piece, which was designed for the occasion. The coins made at the exhibition were made using a polished die.

We understand that the Mint bagged up all its unsold stock before shipping them back to the UK. This almost certainly explains why the polished die version frequently turns up with more, and heavier, bagmarking than the normal issue.

Edge

The edge is milled.

Obverse

The first (young) portrait of the Queen facing right, designed by Mary Gillick.

ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F D
FIVE SHILLINGS

Reverse

The crown in the centre of the emblematic cross, formed from a thistle, rose, leek and shamrock. In the angles, there are four shields bearing the arms of Scotland, England and Ireland.

This is the same reverse design as used on the coronation crown of 1953, but with the date changed.