Having just completed some of my relisting/recording of my $1 coins, I am a little concerned about the term Portable Press used by Greg Macdonald in his catalogue especially for the early Mint Marked coins.
I am referring to the NCLT's issued in 1993-Conservation, 1994 - Dollar Decade, 1995 - Waltzing matildas Centenary, 1996 - Sir Henry Parkes, 1997 - Kingsfor=Smith, 1998 - Loprd Howard Florey, 1999 - Last ANZAC.
All the above "B", "S", "M" "A" etc are all noted as being produced on a "Portable Press" at various shows.
As I believe that the press in use was in fact a old Production Press that was placed in situ and one stamped the complete coin onto a blank rather than just the cities letter.
The first I know of a true "Mobile/Portable Press" being used was in Melbourne for the Outback coin.
Can anyone who is reading this and went to the early pre Mobile Press usage, can confirm that the early Portable Press was in fact a converted Production Press and the coin complete was a complete Mint Your Own from a blank.
Goldseeker, I believe you are correct regarding the Counter stamped dollars since and including 2002, these are those that had the letter ( A, AL, B, C, E, G, M, P, S ) stamped onto an already minted dollar coin at the respective location by a small air operated press. Although, over the years since then there have been occasions when pre counter stamped coins have been distributed at some of these events, as well as being allocated to dealers.
From what I have read, all mobile press examples from previous years were the result of whole coins being minted on heavy RAM presses that were transported to each location. Unfortunately, I have no personal experience of this, and for procurement of pertinent examples I have relied on hopefully honest people who said they had visited these events and stamped a coin.
I can't say for sure but I believe the early ones were stamped by an old retired press however I doubt RAM had a specific die with the mintmark engraved.
The 2002 Outback coin was certainly just the mm pressed onto the coin the weak strike was only way to tell if it was a mobile same as the 03 Korea $1
Good question Goldy I hope members here can give a genuine response
I vaguely remember getting mintmarked coins in Brisbane in 1995 or 1996 and I recall it being produced on something a lot more substantial than what they use for counter-stamping.
I spoke with the press operator at the Changeover Tour in Melbourne today who confirmed that up till the issue of The Outback Coins, all Mint Marked coins prior to that issue were done on enormous Production Presses where you paid your money, pushed a button, in went the blank and out came your complete coin. A true "Mint Your Own" coin.
Guy, who has worked for the RAM for 28 years, believes that the first time of the now Portable Press one sees at shows etc, was first used either in Sydney or Brisbane for the Outback coins.
Now, does anyone reading this have a photo of such press of the old Production press at shows in their archive. If you have one can I please get a copy.
I don't, but possibly there are photos in an old Australian Coin Review or Australasian Coin and Banknote magazine. Did the production press ever go to an ANDA show?
Good post Goldseeker this might at least solve some of the mysteries about early mobile press coins
I'm still yet to understand where or how the first known myo press coins were made, eg 1993 Landcare forward