What Makes A 'Proclamation Coin'?

VRS

VRS

Well-Known Member
Silver Stacker
Over the past few years I've seen many many different coins referred to as 'Proclamation Coins'

I can understand that various silver coinage was used for barter in the early days of Australian colonisation from many different countries, such as:

Portugal Johanna gold 12,800 reis
Portugal half Johanna (Brazil) 1706-1750
Carolus III Spanish/South American silver Ocho Reales ('pieces of eight')
Britain Cartwheel copper penny
Dutch ship guilders (Batavia)
Louis d/Or (France)
Thaler Germany
Escudo Mexico
Rupee India
etc etc etc etc etc

So, any currency circulating in Australia I guess can be called 'Proclamation Coin'-age - but doesn't that mean that without tangible provenance one can call any metal coinage from say 1650 onwards 'Proclamation'? I only ask because I've seen quite a few Feebay listings with this title, and I'm thinking much of what's there is genuine antique, but to tag it with that connection to early Aus seems pretty tenuous?

Where's Thucydides when I need him lol?!?

Any thoughts/comment appreciated

Cheers,
VRS ;)
 
In the front of mcdonalds Australian coins there is a list of coins and their value as used as proclamation coins. I'm out now but can post later if know one else has beaten me to it
 
I think the proclamation was quite specific in which coins could be used as legal tender, and there weren't that many of them.

What is interesting is that a coin which has never been to Australia and never circulated as currency can be sold as a proclamation coin because it is the same as one mentioned in the proclamation.
 
quite right.. proving provenance is quite different to being of the few coins that make up this group of coins that circulated during this period.

To me its just that it could of been, because proving it would most probably not be possible.. ie: stored from those days and taken out of aussie circulation OR imported a 8 reales that was one on ebay.com from a guy in UK .. at the end of the day its the same coin.

obviously a holey dollar/ dump would be proof .. that's about it though

1for1
 
Without looking elsewhere my understanding of a proclamtion coin is that it is a type of coin which was used in conjunction with the coinage of the land.
They were currency coins from other nations which were deemed as acceptable currency by the people and then (perhaps) the govt or vice versa.
Only used due to a lack of / shortage currency (coins) in the newly developing land.

As with many things in life I could be wrong!
:)
 
There was an actual official Government "Proclamation" stipulating exactly what coins were to be used and their equivalent in English currency.

Under the decree of 19 November 1800 by the governor Philip Gidley King, the following coins were legal tender for the exchange value of:

Guinea = 1/1/- (One pound and one shilling)
Gold Mohur = 1/17/6 (one pound, 17 shillings and sixpence).
Spanish dollar = 5 shillings.
Ducat = 9/6 (9 shillings 6 pence).
Rupee = 2/6 (2 shillings and 6 pence).
Pagoda = 8/- (8 shillings).
Dutch Guilder = 2/- (2 shillings).
English shilling = 1/1 (1 shilling and 1 penny).
Copper coin of 1 oz = 2 pence.[2]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coins_of_Australia

This replaced trade tokens, shin plasters and rum
 
I always thought the set consisted of 11 coins?

On 19th November, 1800, a Proclamation in the following terms was issued by Governor King:
"Whereas representations of the Want of small Money experienced here have induced His Majesty to take into His gracious Consideration, the immediate Relief from this great inconvenience to all classes of His Subjects in this Colony; a quantity of Copper Coin has been received in His Majesty's Armed Vessel, Porpoise, and will be circulated by being paid for Grain, and Animal Food supplied His Majesty's Stores.

These are therefore to Give Notice, That, a Copper Coin weighing one English Ounce, and stamped with the Profile of His Majesty on the one side and of Britannia on the other, will be issued as above, at the rate of Two pence for each Copper: and that the same shall pass current in the Colony; and is to circulate at the aforesaid rate of Two pence.

And, that no one may plead ignorance of the rate of legality of this, or any other of the Coins circulated in this Colony, of which it does not appear that any regular Proclamation has ever collectively been issued, I have judged it most expedient herewith to publish the following Table of all the Specie legally circulating in this Colony, with the rates affixed to each, of which they shall be considered and be a legal Tender, in all payments or Transactions in this Colony.

4088_proctable.jpg


When a sufficient quantity of Copper Coin is received in the Colony, of which Notice will be given, no private Notes or Cards will be allowed to circulate.

This supply of Copper having been sent to relieve the inconvenience of Persons requiring to make small payments; No persons are to collect the same for the purpose of making large payments; Nor shall it be deemed a legal Tender to offer the same in payment for any Sum exceeding Five pounds.

And it is hereby declared, that the exportation or importation except from His Majesty's Treasury, of any sum in Copper exceeding five pounds, shall be punished by Fine of Treble the Value, and forfeiture of the sum exported or imported."
Click to expand...

Source: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]=Summary&prodno=1301.0&issue=1965&num=&view=
 
Could be, I would have to find my copy of McDonalds to double check, I don't have any of my own to check sadly.
 
So if one of these "Proclaimed" coins is sold in a country outside Australia it is then not considered a Proclamation coin? It is only that it is physically located in OZ that it can be called a Proclamation coin?

When a sufficient quantity of Copper Coin is received in the Colony, of which Notice will be given, no private Notes or Cards will be allowed to circulate.
Click to expand...

So it was in 1800 when it was mooted that real money, produced in the free market was to be outlawed in Australia? Interesting that it wasn't until the 20th century when private money was effectively banned (1910 Bank Act), by placing a 10% tax on privately issued notes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top