§ Mr. Wheelerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost to the public of the proposed .925 silver proof commemorative crown piece to be issued this summer; whether he will consider minting 150,000 of the proposed 250,000 issue in .500 silver, to be issued in uncirculated condition, so as to enable the coin to be more generally available to the public; and what the estimated cost would be.
§ Mr. Peter Reesasked At current silver prices the planned .925 Silver Proof Queen Mother birthday crown will be on sale for approximately £25.
During the recent peaking of the price of silver consideration was given to producing the proof in .500 silver but this was rejected on the grounds that .925 is the traditional silver alloy for coins. The Royal Mint does, however, plan to issue an incirculated version of the coin in cupro nickel. These coins will be specially packaged and 250,000 will be available at a recommended retail price of not more than £2.