Manders and Twible forgeries

[echidna]

There are four dates in the series: 26 27 28 and 31.
1926 and 1931 are much scarcer than 27 and 28.
My guess is that production continued in 1929 and 1930 with the 27 and 28 dies hence the greater numbers of these dates.
There appears to be three different reverse dies.

I do not believe that these were produced by Manders and Twible.
The operation required to produce and distribute large numbers of high quality machine struck florins was well beyond the capabilities of these two gentlemen in my opinion.
Based on the book "The Shadow" their equipment was intended for the production of cast copies only.
Possibly they were involved in the distribution however.
I'd really like to see some proper professional research - its a fascinating insight into the history of this period.

Some comments about the actual coins:
The quality is very good.
The 27 pictured in very convincing.
I have sixteen examples in my collection and twelve were bought as genuine.
Many from BIG dealers who sold them as genuine.
(I wont mention names).

.

[robbiegal]

are any of them rotated?

[echidna]

are any of them rotated?

Just checked five examples.
Two were about 5 degrees off.
Otherwise correctly aligned.

[Mister T]

I thought the 1927 was an example of the real thing until you mentioned otherwise.

Have you read the August 1984 Australian Coin Review article about fake 1928 shillings?

[echidna]

I thought the 1927 was an example of the real thing until you mentioned otherwise.

Have you read the August 1984 Australian Coin Review article about fake 1928 shillings?

Haven't seen the August 84 article.
I have a feeling there is another more recent CAB article about these shillings also.
Here is a low grade example I have.
I have never seen a high grade one.
They appear to be a high quality product as well.

[Mister T]

Yes, I read the CAB article today and it referred to the ACR article. It was interesting as it said (from memory) that there was a mint in China that was putting out these almost perfect 1928 shillings as well as coins of similar dimensions from other countries.
I'll have another read of it tomorrow and see if there are any other important details.

[robbiegal]

they were pure silver
not sterling

[Mister T]

Some other details are that the fake 1928 shillings come to prominence in 1931 and 1932, but it doesn't say how the Chinese mint was discovered.

[echidna]

Some other details are that the fake 1928 shillings come to prominence in 1931 and 1932, but it doesn't say how the Chinese mint was discovered.

The Chinese counterfeiters were apprehended in 1932.
And were deported.
But according to the "The Shadow" the mint was never discovered.
The only reference to its location was suspected to be in Hong Kong.

[Mister T]

Quite by chance I found mention of a fake 1926 florin in the September 1964 Australian Coin Review and it states it is believed to have been struck in Hong Kong.