The 1966 mint sets would undoubtedly be the mint sets that have created the most discussion amongst collectors of Australian coinage. This is because of the variation in the types of uncirculated and proof sets issued.

The proof sets are the easiest to distinguish and are commonly referred to as the light and dark case. The light blue case has a pressed steel frame while the dark blue case has a vinyl covered wood frame. Both have a hinged lid which does not protect the coins so perfect sets are hard to find. In their day, these sets would have been nice looking sets. With only 18000 odd sets made, these coins fetch a hefty price tag of $325 with toned sets fetching $130. The mint trialled the sealed plastic case that was used between 1969 and 1984. The mint issued 12 of these sets. These sets demand around the $750 mark. As you would expect, very few will actually set one of these sets more or less own one.

There were several forms of the 1966 uncirculated mints sets issued. The first was the 1 cent and 2 cent mint card of which 43100 were issued. These command $90.00. The most common set issued was the blue and white “poly card” containing all the circulation coin. Due to the fact that no 5 cent, 10 cent or 20 cents coins had been minted in Canberra on C-day, London minted coins were used early sets. There were 67250 sets produced. Because of some packaging problems with these mint sets a further 10350 sets were produced in 1967 with all Australian coin. These sets fetch around $70.

The mint also issued mint sets in vinyl wallets. “Type 1” folders came in four colours were black, red green and blue and had the words “Decimal Currency First Issue 1966” on the front. These six coin wallets were purchased by the mint on consignment from Admiral Plastics out of surplus stocks made for the reserve bank. The coins were added at the RAM and sold from October 1966 through to December 1968 with 12260 being sold by the Reserve bank. These wallets currently retail at around $125. “Type 2” wallets were ordered by the RAM in October 1967 and these were royal blue. They can be distinguished from “type 1” folders by the cover design depicting the Australian Coat of Arms and method used to hold the coins. As the mint ran out of “type 1” wallets in September 1968, they used “type 2” wallets from September 1968 to May 1969. Some 15809 wallets in total were issued containing 1966 coins from 1966 through to 1969 including 3549 “type 2” wallets. These wallets sell for around the $140 mark.

There were 520 “Type 3” wallets issued to VIP’s. These were similar to “type 1” wallets but can be distinguished by the Australian Coat of Arms being on the front amongst other things. These wallets were all dark blue. Given the rarity of “type 3” wallets they sell with a hefty price tag of around $700. The last type of wallet issued in 1966 was to TNT drives who were involved in "operation fast buck". Seventy of these wallets were produced. Unfortunately I can find little information on these wallets. They retail at over the $900 mark.

The 1966 proof and mint sets are definitely an important part of Australian numismatic history as they are our first sets issued in decent quantities for collectors. It was an era where the mint experimented with various packaging designs and as such there is variety for the current day collector.

References:

McDonald G, Collecting and Investing in Australian Coins and Banknotes, 2nd Ed. (Sydney: 1991).

McDonald G, Pocket Guide to Australian Coins And Banknotes, 11th Ed (Sydney:2004).

Ebay,  http://www.ebay.com.au

Normally, this section of the magazine is devoted to the review of a recently released coin. The RAM has issued a few coins last moth that are well work comment. I personally think the 2004 Gold Plated Roo and the Tasmania bicentennial $5 proof as very nice coins and given their low mintages, should do well.

I however need to comment on the downtime the RAM forum is experiencing. The RAM forum is the meeting place for Australian coin collectors. The forum is a valuable resource for all collectors and regular reader of Australian Coin and Banknote Magazine will realize that many articles start from ideas from the forum and authors find a great deal of information from this site.

The mint has had concerns for a while over some of the content posted on the RAM forum. They have been reluctant to moderate it to encourage free speech. This however comes at a price in that there is a chance malicious users could post unwanted material. Over recent months this has slowly happened.

The mint, in their wisdom, has advised the forum is closing down.  The concern I have is that if it closes, several years of information is potentially lost. This is because the forum is in fact government property and there are concerns if the database is sold or given away there would be breaches of privacy.

I think I share the view of a lot of RAM forum members that there is a definite need for forum for collectors to meet. I also think the view is shared that we need the information posted in the now closed forum. I hope with the lobbying that is going on by forum members the mints stand is changed.

In the mean time everyone is welcome to meet at a forum being by the RAM forum member "Secrete Squirrel." The forum can be found at http://www34.brinkster.com/aussiecoins/forum/default.asp