I am a great believer in irony.
Yesterday (statement correct at the time of writing) saw the release of five new ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula’ fifty pences. Initially this was a series of five colour coins. Limited to a ‘worldwide limit of 995’, these are obviously going to appeal to collectors instantly. They also happen to feature half-decent artwork and are housed in a nicely designed coffin-shaped box.
All was well, and anyone buying these coins would no doubt as proud as punch. Then today came along with some new and interesting additions…..
Now, one may well expect standard cupro nickel versions to appear after giving it a day of flogging the colour variant. That is sly but also pretty standard with coin retailers 😉 What isn’t pretty standard is the introduction of several other formats…..
Blackened coins seem to have become a bit of a thing over the last couple of years. It started with the Gibraltar ‘Penny Black’ fifty pence in 2020 and its ‘unique pearl black proof finish’. Since then, the ‘unique pearl black proof finish’ has appeared a couple more times – like on the revamped and rushed out ‘HM Queen Elizabeth II: 2022 3 coin set’.
(So, this word ‘unique’….. lol)
Anyhow, you will never guess what. There are now ‘unique pearl black proof finish’ versions of Drac on sale too. Yes, really! And it gets better – there are even ‘First Strike’ unique pearl black proof finish’ versions on sale!!!! Yes, a similar thing I am guessing to the ‘A-Z’ ten pences. Basically this is where they pull out the first batch of coins to get struck (the first fifty with Drac) before the dies start showing signs of wear and proceed to market these as a separate entity for even more lovely lolly! Proper sharp (like the dies initially) and never miss a trick these retailers 😉
So, all of this means that with ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula’ there are actually three different versions to collect. And even four if you were going to consider getting the ‘unique pearl black proof finish’ ones where the dies were still at their bestest on the machine. Now to me, this is a bit OTT and milking it comes to mind….. or perhaps my cynicism is preventing me from seeing a greater truth? Could it be that this has all been done purposely to maintain the vampiric theme of the coins? After all, ‘bleeding it dry’ would be a stupendous way of paying homage to Stoker and his Prince of Darkness, wouldn’t it?
Nevertheless, if you are planning on buying into this franchise you can be sure that your wallet will have the lifeforce sucked right out of it. A standard cupro set is £34.95, a colour one is £62.50 and a ‘unique pearl black proof finish’ one will set you back by a terrifying £349.90. Oh and the special ‘dies still sharp unique pearl black proof finish’ stonker-set is £375! Yowsers!!!!
Expect puncture wounds in your bank balance :/
© Article copyright Mik Smith 2022
MAIN IMAGE – snatched and artified and then reblogged from maniacsandmonsters.com.
The late, great Chirstopher Lee wooing a pretty girl. How vampires were back then – classy and seductive!
He also happened to be the best Dracula ever and a true gent so I am told.
Bless his cotton socks. Great guy 🙂
