The ECU - European Currency Unit
We have pattern ECU crowns available from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, France, Greece, and Spain.
The ECU
As the European Economic Community, or the European Union made its moves towards a common currency, the ECU came into being. Although at first the ECU was a unit of account, it had long been expected to be converted into a circulating currency. In most European countries there were pattern coins issued exploring the design possibilities of the anticipated new coinage. Some of these issues were design exercises carried out by official mints, others were privately issued.
Private Pattern Coins
There is quite a long tradition of private individuals or companies designing and striking proposed new coin designs. Certainly Thomas Simon engraved and produced at his own expense, a pattern crown which he presented to Charles II in 1663, in the hope of being appointed chief engraver at the Royal Mint. At other times when great changes to our coinage have been expected there has been considerable activity in producing private patterns. Before the great coinage reform of 1816, there were many unofficial patterns produced by Matthew Boulton and James Watt, who eventually produced the famous cartwheel pennies, and also supplied much of the Royal Mint's new machinery. Again in early Victorian times, when Britain was starting to think about decimalisation, many pattern coins, official and unofficial were produced. Nowadays there is a good demand for these rare antique pattern coins, and many of them command high prices.
1992 ECU Patterns
We have recently acquired a small quantity of pattern ECU coins including a number of English 25 ECU's dated 1992. There are two different reverse designs, each sharing the same obverse design. There is also a 5 ECU of the same size which is undated.
ECU & Euro Patterns
We have recently acquired a small quantity of pattern ECU coins including the following:-
Stock List & Prices
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Date | Country | Denomination | Type | Price � | Price $
|
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1992 | England | 25 ECU | St. George & Dragon | �4.95 | $7.95
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1992 | England | 25 ECU | Three Graces | �4.95 | $7.95
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1992 | England | 5 ECU | S.S. Great Britain | �4.95 | $7.95
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1992 | Northern Ireland | 25 ECU | Harp | �4.95 | $7.95
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1992 | Scotland | 25 ECU | Unicorn & Lion | �4.95 | $7.95
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1992 | Wales | 25 ECU | Edward the Black Prince | �4.95 | $7.95
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1994 | Greece | 5 ECU | Alexander the Great | �4.95 | $7.95
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1997 | France | 20 Euro | Matisse | �4.95 | $7.95
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1997 | Spain | 20 Euro | Picasso | �4.95 | $7.95
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1998 | Scotland | 25 ECU | Scottish Lion | �4.95 | $7.95
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More Details about Each Country
For photographs of both sides of each coin, and more complete descriptions, please see the individual country pages:-
England
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales
Greece
France
Spain
Specifications
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Diameter | Denomination | Weight | Alloy
|
|
38 mms | 20 Euro | 20 grams | Cupro-Nickel
|
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38 mms | 25 ECU | 20 grams | Cupro-Nickel
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38 mms | 5 ECU | 20 grams | Cupro-Nickel
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Postage & Packing:
UK: At buyer's Risk �3.50 or
Fully Insured �9 (Usually by Royal Mail Special Delivery)
USA: Airmail at buyer's risk $10 or
Fully Insured (Usually via Fedex or Datapost) $40
Order Form - UK
Order Form - USA
Order Form - EU
Order Form - Rest of World
More about the EuroZone
