Summary

Proof Crown, Issued by Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), 1953
Minted by Royal Mint, London

Obverse Description

Laureate bust of the Queen facing right; around, QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND; artist's initials, MG, incuse on bust truncation

Reverse Description

Within a circular plaque set at the top of a wreath, facing bust of Cecil Rhodes; on ribbon at sides of portrait 1853 1902; below portrait the shields of arms of Northern Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia and Rhodesia and Nyasaland; below, CECIL RHODES; around, SOUTHERN RHODESIA CROWN 1953; the artist's initials, HP, divided by the name

Edge Description

Incuse, * OUT OF VISION CAME REALITY * 1853 1953

Significance

The Annual Report of the Royal Mint (1953, p.9) records that "125,000 crown pieces in 500 standard silver, were struck to commemorate the centenary of the birth of Cecil Rhodes. Of these 1,500 pieces were struck between specially polished dies and were issued in cases". This piece is a Royal Mint Proof of Record striking and appears to be in copper-nickel rather than silver.

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