1904 - Ceylon Edward VII
Copper - Five Cents - Pattern

A rare Copper Proof Pattern not issued to circulation dated 1904 with design of the 5 cent coin of Queen Victoria issued from 1870 to 1898 before authorization of the definitive decimal Ceylon Five cent Cupro-Nickel coin established by an local proclamation dated 1909 December 13th was Declared legal tender in Ceylon from 1910 January 1st, with limit of tender 50 cents.

SPECIFICATIONS
Denomination5 cents
AlloyCopper
Diameter34.0 mm
Thickness mm
Weight18.9 gms
ShapeRound
EdgePlain
DieAxis
Edward~VII_05c_copper_pattern_obverse Edward~VII_05c_copper_pattern_reverse
Pridmore #184;KM #PN8

Obverse : Crowned Head of Edward VII to right in relief in the center with Engraver initials DES in relief on the truncation of the shoulder. Legend EDWARD VII KING & EMPEROR broken by the crown, within dot circle along periphery with raised rim.
Reverse : A Talipot palm in the center with ශත පහ in Sinhala on left, and ௫•சதம் in Thamil on right, within inner circle. • CEYLON • FIVE • CENT • above, and 1904 below in annulus within dot circle along periphery with raised rim.

Note by Remick: 'V.Rare. Purchased June 1978. Only 2 in private hands mine and Dick Ford. A few in museums.'

It is listed as a pattern in Krause (Pn8), as probably it should since only few proofs minted and not publicly released, unlike for example the 1951 5-cent coin. Were Proof sets minted of the 1904 issue ?

Pridmore (184) lists a Proof 1904, Not issued for currency of the same large copper design of the Victoria Five CENT coin.
Very few specimens known of this Five cents proof only issue.
The Dick Ford collection (in Taisei-Baldwin-Gillio Auctions #19 Ceylon 1995 February 23. Singapore lot#225) sold together with 251A 233A 204A for hammer price of $6,000/-.(+10% buyers premium).
The Remick collection (in Spink London Auction #6009 2006 Oct 18 Lot #231 sold for for hammer price of GB£10500(+??% buyers premium).

The 185 dpi coin image from Spink 2006 Auction 6009 lot 231 displayed at 200dpi.