© coinman1 (CC BY)
© coinman1 (CC BY)
½ Crown - Elizabeth II Holmes smoking pipe
1994 year| Silver (.999) | 15.55 g | 32 mm |
| Issuer | Gibraltar (British Overseas Territories) |
|---|---|
| Queen | Elizabeth II (1952-2022) |
| Type | Non-circulating coin |
| Year | 1994 |
| Value | ½ Crown (0.125) |
| Currency | Crown Coinage (1967-date) |
| Composition | Silver (.999) |
| Weight | 15.55 g |
| Diameter | 32 mm |
| Thickness | 2 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Updated | 2024-10-08 |
| Numista | N#81249 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
Sherlock Holmes with pipe in hand
Script: Latin
Lettering:
· 100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE RETURN OF SHERLOCK HOLMES ·
½
CROWN
Edge
Reeded
Comment
Sherlock Holmes, the remarkable detective based in Victorian London, has to be one of the best known and most enduring fictional characters of all time. He wvas first introduced to the public in 1887, in serialised stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The stories were narrated by another fictional character, Dr Watson, who was Holmes' loyal companion and biographer.Conan Doyle managed to inspire such feeling for Holmes in his readers that the character's 'death' in 1894 caused a public outcry. As a consequence, the author felt obliged to 'resurrect' Holmes soon afterwards in a story whose Centenary this set of coins was to commemorate.
Appropriately, Sherlock Holmes was something of a numismatist and is desbribed as owning a collection of coins in ‘The Musgrave Ritual'.
There is also a strong connection with Gibraltar: see coin number 6, 'The Mary Celeste', and the book by Sam Benady 'Sherlock Holmes in Gibraltar – the true solution to the mystery of the –Mary Celeste'. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is also known to have visited the ‘Rock’.
The coins were issued in Cupro Nickel, Sterling Silver and 1/5oz Fine 999.9 Gold. The portrait of Sherlock Holmes was also available in 1/2oz Fine Silver and in CuNi in a colour pack.
This coin simply depicts the detective himself – the unmistakable profile shows Holmes in the famous deerstalker after holding a pipe. It was a only one from series issued as Fine Silver 1/2 crown.
Interesting fact
The interesting fact about this coin is that it features a unique design of Queen Elizabeth II smoking a pipe, which is a departure from the traditional depictions of the monarch. It was issued to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of the famous detective Sherlock Holmes, who is known for his pipe-smoking habit. The coin's design was created by sculptor and engraver, John M. L. Mills, and it has become a popular collector's item among numismatists and fans of Sherlock Holmes.
Price
| Date | Mintage | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 30000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for ½ Crown - Elizabeth II (Holmes smoking pipe) 1994 coin.
