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 Replies: 18 / Views: 3,587 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2003 Posts |
I was watching an episode of pawn stars and they had some type of sealed rubber block with British Naval Engravings. When cut opened, the box contained 5 gold coins and three gold rings. It was explained that downed aviators were to use them for barter as escape money. All I could see was that one of the coins looked like a gold sovereign and I couldn't make out the others. An expert valued the kit at $5000 USD. Does anyone have a good picture of the contents of one of these kits? I had never heard of this before!
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4618 Posts |
I think these are really interesting! They have been discussed before, but I don't have any pictures personally. I did an image search on the interweb thingy and found a few images. Here are the results from my 'Bing' search. They also seem to be listed as Escape/Evasion Kits.
ANA ID: 3203813 - CONECA ID: N-5637 Clean a coin that may be worth collecting? Please DON'T! When in doubt, leave it dirty!! 
Edited by Yokozuna
08/29/2021 06:14 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4618 Posts |
Oh, great! I think I broke the CCF! I tried to edit my post above and it goes into a weird little loop back to the post. Now it does this WIDE reply thing too!! Oh, man... Bobby is gonna KILL ME!
ANA ID: 3203813 - CONECA ID: N-5637 Clean a coin that may be worth collecting? Please DON'T! When in doubt, leave it dirty!!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4618 Posts |
Whew! I was able to FIX IT! I had to delete the link, but I don't think I'll be banned from CCF now!
Just do a web search for WWII Aviator Barter Kit. You should be able to find some images.
I have to go take a shower now and try to stop shaking!
ANA ID: 3203813 - CONECA ID: N-5637 Clean a coin that may be worth collecting? Please DON'T! When in doubt, leave it dirty!!
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5239 Posts |
@yokozuna, you CAN"T break the CCF. Don't worry.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
I've heard of these, but never seen one. Very interesting.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7273 Posts |
I saw the episode, they actually are worth more not opened. They also have a watch. It's a pretty cool idea, think in WWII there no was internet or cell phones you get shot down you needed to get out on your own.
Edited by hfjacinto
08/29/2021 10:28 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7001 Posts |
I recall seeing one posted here on CCF...maybe by jimbucks...  Edited: found it, use search box for "WWII gold barter kits" (don't know how to post that link thing..  ) there you'll find a link to the coinweek article. Edited by Greasy Fingers
08/30/2021 01:10 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1173 Posts |
Interesting, had not heard of this. Thanks
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Pillar of the Community
United States
717 Posts |
This will be of little or no help, but....... I recall (being 70) that some time in the 70's or 80's I think these came up for sale by the British government to the general public. Don't recall the details, but it was front page news in the numismatic press back then for a couple of weeks.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1801 Posts |
There were two examples of the American Version (WWII Aviator emergency barter pack) on display at a USMexNA convention several years back. Very interesting. One was open and one was still sealed. They did contain British Sovereigns among the coins which were probably the most recognizable gold coin in the Pacific Theatre of the war at the time.   |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Thanks for the pics!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4691 Posts |
I was underbidder on one of these at HA last year. You can probably find info on HA since they have multiple sales. I was able to find quite a bit of info online, so if you interested you should be able to find it too. I concluded the novelty was not worth it to me for some common bullion coins, rings and a watch, although I could not find any details on the watch that was included in the package. The government auctioned a bunch of these off as surplus in the 70s or 80s.
Edited by jimbucks
09/03/2021 7:19 pm
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
Very interesting! |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
The sets with the sovereigns were European theater, the Pacific Theater sets had gold rings, four links of gold chain, a gold locket and a watch. No coins.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Interesting, thanks for that!
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Replies: 18 / Views: 3,587 |
Posted 08/29/2021 06:12 am
