§ 77. Major Beamishasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Festival crown pieces have been minted so far; what has been the cause of the delay in supply; whether he is aware of the disappointment of many people that the standard of workmanship is not of the very high quality associated with British coinage in past years; and whether he will take action to ensure a higher standard of commemorative coinage in the future.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterUp to the 20th November, 1,917,221 Festival crown pieces had been issued. The demand at the South Bank (more than 15,000 a day in the closing weeks of the Exhibition) absorbed nearly the whole of the Royal Mint production of these coins. Orders from other sources had to be deferred until the Exhibition closed. Outstanding orders will be met within a few weeks.
I do not accept the implication in the last part of the Question. Only three complaints (involving the quality of six coins) have been received. Commendatory letters on the design and finish of these coins have reached the Royal Mint from all parts of the world.