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Dear Friends,
Somebody knows the exact mintage of this rare BWA 1913 Double Proof Set?
Krause listed 14 sets but Baldwin's at their Lot description stated:
Four double sets were struck for special presentation and of all of the BWA Proofs, we can see that these had the most importance in the care of their striking.
David Vice in his book "The Coinage of British West Africa & St. Helena 1684-1958" writes the following on page 172:
It was arranged for the Royal Mint to supply 14 double specimen sets, boxed, and with an inscription outside, of the West African Currency Board, for distribution by way of presentation. These cased sets were then presented to, among others, King George V and the Secretary of State for the Colonies, as well to the Governments and Governors of the various French and German West African Colonies surrounding the British West African possessions. In addition the Royal Mint supplied 200 sigle sets for distribution to applicants against prepayment.
The coins in the double specimen sets were struck in proof condition, whilst those in the single sets contained selected uncirculated pieces. Both sets of coins were boxed in a red leather case (as above for the double set), the lid of which shows a large crown with the name B.W.A. 1913. This and the boundary which surround it are in gold.
From this it may be clear that 14, not only 4 were minted. There were more than 4 persons and institutions to receive the double sets.