§ 52. Mr. TINKERasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total cost of producing the special Jubilee £50 gold pieces; and whether the whole of it will be met by those who got the gold pieces?
§ Mr. COOPERThe total cost, including the cost of bullion, was approximately 450, which was covered with an ample margin by the payments made by the recipients of the issue.
§ Mr. TINKERHave steps been taken to recover some of the profits made from the sale of these gold pieces to other persons; and, seeing that the State got them out, if there is any profit made in that direction, is not the State entitled to some return?
§ Mr. COOPERThe State has lost no money on the transaction. In fact, the State has made money on it. I do not think the State could possibly indulge in speculation on the future value of these gold medals and coins. I cannot imagine any way in which the State could recover any profits which a collector might make out of the rise in the value of the coins.
§ Commander MARSDENIs there any record of how many of these coins have already changed hands and at what prices?
§ Mr. COOPERNo, Sir. I do not see how such a record could possibly be kept.