Vickysilver

I have just seen a 1988 Cayman proof set and note that on the otherwise identical 50c and $1 coins that there is NO FM monogram as opposed to the 1986 & 1987 sets. I wonder what happened for them to finally decide that the monograms were not necessary?

Yes, quite, but the "unholy alliance" stems from the fact that controversy was swirling about the Franklin Mint for some of the reasons you mentioned as well as a few more, and this included an exposee on the enormously popular (at the time) 60 Minutes show. In general, I would think this might have dissuaded the Royal Mint from associating themselves with Franklin or at least made it less obvious by removing the FM logo.

Yes, the mintages of the one cent FM were up to 26k and above released through Central of Belize to best of my knowledge. At first they were of matte type and then following from 1975 of the prooflike type (this in addition to the Royal Mint types that were also released to circulation but did not have birds motif).

Sandy, my thoughts as well. At least they are relatively affordable - for the moment. I do think they do generate demand outside of their countries of "origin" however. Franklin Mint also had some interesting mules, like the Belize unc. 1982 ten dollar with wrong reverse that I think the mintage, if believed was all of THREE and yet cataloged at something like 25-35 USD in Krause! I have a sl. hairlined Solomon $5 Unc. 1978 coronation FM that is not even listed in Krause, bought for 100 USD and might have gone for less in the right circumstances...Can you imagine looking at row upon row of Indian Head cents or Barber coins and then glancing over and seeing a silver proof Belize dollar with the two macaws; the first coins being in the thousands with seeming stacks available at every coin show, the later at maybe 12-15 dollars and possibly only one at the whole show?

Ooops, forgot to answer the first part of your post. The Franklin Mint secured beginning about 1969-70, contracts with various Central Banks around the world contracts for striking coins that mostly were NCLT (non-circulating legal tender)that in some cases were supported by currency issues actually released to circulation. Many of these were Caribbean countries such as Bahamas, Belize, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Trinidad & T., etc. and then Papua New Guinea, Malta, even Malaysia & Philippines. Generally FM did a lead in with a proof set that had one or two silvers and was very high priced for the time, supported by mint/currency sets that had coins with prooflike strikes without precious metal after 1974.They also struck gold coins, again in proof and proof like as well as occasionally the "matte" presentation.These sets were marketed in the US through the Sunday paper, magazines, even TV and were touted for beauty, rarity and exclusivity (!?) even though some of the earlier sets were minted to the tune of tens of thousands. The coins are quite attractive with appearance certainly more appealing than UK or US issues of the time, or even modern times with many birds, fish, etc. depicted.... Anyway, the FM basically killed the goose that layed the golden egg as there were exposes on such shows as 60 Minutes in the US exposing them as unequivocal ripoffs. In addition they "created", and still do even under new ownership other collectibles, including model cars and airplanes, crystal balls, silver spoons, etc. that also were marketed as exclusive and implied good investments - they were not. Many of these other collectibles as well as the coins plummeted in value. But the final story is that quality of many of the pieces was quite high and so they in some cases became much better value after depreciation. The coins similarly were caught up in the cloud of near-scandal. The irony with them is that now some of the later 1980s bits sell on ebay for multiples of issue price, so a partial happy ending for the sets themselves...

Yes, these are proof sets in Royal Mint packaging with certificate, etc.and originally meant to be runs of 500, though these two sets of 86 and 87 ended up with only 330 and 317 being struck. Royal Mint insignias, etc. all over the box. The other denominations are lacking the FM monogram and are of the type utilised by the Canadian mint on earlier proof sets, or are a newer RM addition. These would definately fit the definition of Royal Mint proof sets, but have coins with the monogram at a time the FM was not apparently striking coins anymore. Franklin Mint operations evidently ceased with regards to striking coins for other governments during the 1984-85 year, and none are known from later dates. The 1985 "Birds of Belize" silver proof set struck by the Royal Mint has coins with what appear to be Franklin Mint Reverses but had reverted to Royal Mint obverses and as the FM monograms were on the obverse have no FM monogram. Jamaica 1985 sets reverted to RM types and have no Franklin Mint residua even though FM struck Jamaica proof sets through 1984, this perhaps because of the liquid Jamaican ecnonomy with inflation taking a toll on the coins & therefor forcing changed in diameter which in turn afforded opportunity to change designs.

Yes, but I thought it interesting in that the Franklin Mint was villified in the Numismatic and regular press and that of interest that the Royal Mint would deal with them.

Just to confirm that the 1987 Cayman Island proof set coins of 50c and $1 do indeed have the Franklin Mint monogram mintmark. As the reverses remained unchanged into 1988 I would guess that this would be true of that year's denominations as well. Oh well, guess nobody cares a whole lot & so just reporting....

Been looking to post this and wonder if any others have feedback: The Franklin Mint struck coins, mainly NCLTs, for countries around the world but especially the Caribbean in the era 1970-1985. Heretofore some of the last struck coins I could find were the 1985 Bahamas proof set, the 1985 BVI silver and non-silver sets, and the 1985 Panama proof set and proof 20 Balboa. Now comes by chance that I saw, and have one other report of 1986 Cayman Islands proof sets with FM minmark in the form of their customary FM monogram on the reverse of the 50c, $1 and $5 dollar coins. These have reverses begun by the Franklin mint in 1984 for sets of that year. Now it appears that the 50c and $1 reverses were the same up until 1988 and very likely, at least on the 1987s to have the FM monogram as well. Again what is interesting is that these sets from 1986-88 of the Cayman Islands were sold as struck by the Royal Mint but have Franklin Mint mintmarks! My theory is that either reverse dies were sent by Franklin to the Royal Mint, or else the master hub was and the RM simply used the Franklin mint derived reverse without bothering to get rid of the monogram. Or are these possibly struck by the Franklin Mint? Email to Royal Mint yielded from them nothing as it is not their interest.