Part 2: Jordan Proof Circ. Coins

Set Description

The "circulation-type" proof coins are closely related the coins in my "Jordan - Circulation Type Coins" signature set. The only difference is that these are proof strikes. The coins in this group break down into two categories: (1) early proofs, and (2) proofs from official proof sets.

# Early Proofs # (aka Proof Record Coins)
These coins are undoubtedly the rarest among all of Jordan's coins. There is nothing published about them yet few specimens are known in private collections. I have been tracking them for over 15 years and have only come across a handful. There are several possible reasons behind these coins' existance (they definitely exist). One theory is that these were trial strikes, while another theory is that these were presentation strikes for members of the Hashemite Royal Family, and yet another theory suggests that these were unofficially struck by the Royal Mint for "demo" purposes to other governments. While we may never know, the fact remains that these are extremely rare coins with estimated mintages of 25 pieces for each date (apart from the 1949 coins, which have a confirmed mintage of 25 pieces). There are 20 coins in this group: 1949 (7 coins), 1955 (5 coins), 1960 (3 coins), 1962 (4 coins), and 1963 (1 coin).

# Proof Sets #
The first Jordanian proof set was issued in 1965, containing all 6 denominations used at that time (Note: I consider the 1949 proof set an "Early Proof" and thus it belongs in the previous category). This was followed by a 1978 proof set, containing 7 coins, a 1985 proof set with 7 coins, and lastly a 1996 proof set with 8 coins. This adds up to 28 coins from official Jordanian proof sets.

Set Goals

This is Part 2 of 7 in a collection consisting of all Jordanian coins and medals, including Jordan-themed foreign items as well. Part 2 contains all "circulation-type" proof coins ever minted by the government of Jordan.