On Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:28:22 +0100, David Jackson
wrote:

The message
from "Peter Masson" contains these words:

I think I've only once seen a crown used as payment in a normal
transaction - around 1955 a boy in the class paid his week's dinner money (5
shillings) using one.

You're one-up on me then. I have several, in plastic cases as
"commemorative issues", but I've never seen one used for its proper
purpose.

Crowns tended to be issued above face value in proof condition but the
1953 coins were IMU the first to be issued as part of a set of coins
in "uncirculated" condition (as was the 1965 Churchill Crown). AFAIAA
the 1953 uncirculated set was issued at or near face value so many
(like my mother's) possibly disappeared/dispersed when there was an
urgent need for cash.