Are So-Called Granny Bait Coins a Sign that Australia is Going Down the Toilet?

[markn]

So here's something to discuss. Last night at coin club someone made a very interesting point about how the style and quality of coins that a civilisation produces can correlate quite closely with the state of that civilisation at the that time.

For example, in the supposed Greek classical period of 500-400BC Greek civilisation was at it's peak and the coins made during this period are considered to be among the most beautiful ever made. Just 100 or 200 years later the quality of the coins had lowered considerably and the Greek civilisation was in decline. Similar comparisons can be drawn with Roman coinage made from 100BC to 100AD being beautiful and distinctive when the empire was stomping it's way across Europe. However, just 200 years later when the barbarians were burning down the empire the coinage had gone to pot.

So let's look at Australia. In 1927 we made coins that look like this:



And here we are in 2013 and we make coins that look like this:



So the question is: What do the coins that the RAM (and PM) make for collectors say about us as a country?

[trout]

There is absolutely NO comparison between a Canberra florin and a pad printed 25mm dollar coin.
The Canberra florin IMHO is by far the best looking Australian predecimal coin, The seal coin is just another "grannybait" that is produced because the mint "Just knows" that us collectors have to have it to make a series of coins complete.
On the other hand the Canberra florin was produced to commemorate an important part of Australian history and was a well executed design ( Unlike the Melbourne coin) Yuk.

[purplepennyhunter]

Is the Weddell Seal not an important Polar Animal in the food chain to be deserving of a commemorative *cough* ?? coin design. Surely Mr Weddell was an Aussie *cough* ?? NOT.

I guess it's almost as bad as a coral island in the Pacific issuing commemoratives for significant Australian events.

[trout]

Is the Weddell Seal not an important Polar Animal in the food chain to be deserving of a commemorative *cough* ?? coin design. Surely Mr Weddell was an Aussie *cough* ?? NOT.

I guess it's almost as bad as a coral island in the Pacific issuing commemoratives for significant Australian events.

I totally PP
But as a collector the mint has me by the "Short and curlies", If they produce a 25mm dollar coin I WILL add it to my collection

[robbiegal]

did you know that the clam shell on the florin symbolises religion/church

and I suppose that the ice bergs symbolise - well, ice and global warming and how the little fellas' are threatened etc

[trout]

did you know that the clam shell on the florin symbolises religion/church

and I suppose that the ice bergs symbolise - well, ice and global warming and how the little fellas' are threatened etc

I think the clamshell comes from a Botticelli painting and the ice is just something the eskimo's keep the meat in

[dreamcatcher]

That is a great comparison. Made me laugh at how rediculous some coins have become. But then again it's capitalism/commercialism that drives the creation of stupid coins, it's not art or creativity or passion. And capitalism depends on money...

[JeffH]

I thought the Franklin Mint specialised in the granny bait.
Pity the RAM doesn't leave them to it and concentrate on excellence instead.

[Splock]

Or you could look at it this way...



Zoo Token



Work of Art

[JeffH]

Point taken. Some nice designs still appear. Pity they don't try harder with circulation issues too.