2000 Millennium Incuse RAM Image

purplepennyhunter · June 13, 2014, 07:11:35 PM

I was browsing old ACR's today and found the RAM ad for the 2000 mint and proof sets. Now it struck me that the unc 50c really looks like the incuse type which we're led to believe was originally intended for use in the mint sets. Was the press photo taken before that decision was overturned? Are we seeing the incuse type here?

accumulator · June 13, 2014, 07:14:08 PM

Looks incused to me !

stevo1962 · June 13, 2014, 07:16:54 PM

Quote from: 'purplepennyhunter' pid='52379' dateline='1402652495'I was browsing old ACR's today and found the RAM ad for the 2000 mint and proof sets. Now it struck me that the unc 50c really looks like the incuse type which we're led to believe was originally intended for use in the mint sets. Was the press photo taken before that decision was overturned? Are we seeing the incuse type here?

That looks like an incused coin to me

trout · June 13, 2014, 08:18:02 PM

Looks like it to me PP.
I wonder if there are any prototype sets floating about the Mint Vaults :drooling:

purplepennyhunter · June 13, 2014, 08:41:49 PM

We should all get our 2000 mint sets out and ask the RAM why all our millenniums are not incuse

trout · June 13, 2014, 08:52:43 PM

Quote from: 'purplepennyhunter' pid='52387' dateline='1402657909'We should all get our 2000 mint sets out and ask the RAM why all our millenniums are not incuse

It wouldn't help me one iota as I don't have a single mint set unopened :angel:

Ozcoins · June 13, 2014, 08:53:20 PM

I think it is incuse.
Well spotted!

Australian coin · June 14, 2014, 10:39:26 AM

I was told once *don't know if it is true on CCF* that the mint sets were supposed to have he incused millennium 50c, but a employee used it in the circulation press or something like that, not the mint set press that would stamp them with a different pressure or something would be the guess, so they ended up in circulation, or just could of been human mistake and they were sent into circulation and not to mint set, who knows they could have been struck properly, anyways the mint wont admit to it

purplepennyhunter · June 14, 2014, 12:40:50 PM

That's interesting AC if they decided not to use it after a "whoops" with the incuse die. Sounds like the 05 MOR, they struck some and then did more, whether this was a change of mind or to cover up who knows.

purplepennyhunter · June 14, 2014, 05:15:00 PM

Someone over on Facebook has made an interesting comment. This lady says she knows from making badges "the incuse was for a inlay of red enamel . They trialed to lay enamel you needed a recess that is how we got some with the recess".

I wonder if the RAM fluffed around trialing some things before they did the coloured proof coin or something coloured was intended for the mint set.

Steveqld · June 14, 2014, 05:44:42 PM

There were only 2 versions approved in the Currency Determination (1999 No. 5)
1) A representation of the Australian National Flag in colour, surrounded by the inscriptions:

(a) 'MILLENNIUM YEAR'; and

(b) '50 cents'.

and

2) A representation of the Australian National Flag, surrounded by the inscriptions:

(a) 'MILLENNIUM YEAR'; and

(b) '50 Cents'.

If they had intended to mint one with inlaid enamel then I would have thought there would have been a third description along the lines "with a coloured union jack" but that doesn't mean they weren't thinking about it early in the piece, just that it didn't progress to getting approval to go ahead with the design.

purplepennyhunter · June 14, 2014, 06:43:01 PM

another comment whilst I was out

"Australian Coin Collecting Blog- Melissa did you have some input to the Mint in the process? The proof coin was coloured but pad printed on a flat surface?
Melissa Williams -yes but they first were ment to be inlaid colour even the stars were ment to be blue that is why they are incursed the same to take the layer of enamel"

trout · June 14, 2014, 07:01:42 PM

I was still in "Only pre decimals are worth collecting" Mode when I bought the Millennium Proof set.
I got it simply to see if the 50 cent coin had an incused design so that it could accept the paint better than the mint set coin.
I learned Nothing from that purchase other than Decimal coins looked awfully good compared to my pre decimal collections and haven't looked back since then

The truth about the incused coin is slowly coming to light but it is like squeezing the water out of a stone so far.
We must be squeezing pretty damn hard because we are slowly getting more and more info on this coin because "As a Group" we push harder and harder and lift all the stones and share what we learn, That is what a forum like this is all about, Asking questions and getting answers :wavemulticolor:

runway · June 16, 2014, 01:18:07 AM

Great members make great forums
This topic is interesting and educational thanks everyone

Steveqld · June 16, 2014, 09:23:32 AM

Quote from: 'trout' pid='52490' dateline='1402738302'The truth about the incused coin is slowly coming to light but it is like squeezing the water out of a stone so far.
We must be squeezing pretty damn hard because we are slowly getting more and more info on this coin because "As a Group" we push harder and harder and lift all the stones and share what we learn, That is what a forum like this is all about, Asking questions and getting answers :wavemulticolor:

I bit the bullet on the week-end and submitted a Freedom of Information request to the RAM along the lines:

Documents sought: Documents that relate to the decision to create an "incused variety" die including the purpose for which the die was intended and also relating to the use, either deliberately or unintentionally, of the incused die to strike circulating coins.

See how we go in a month or so.