Damon Mcknight
Australian pennies have a rich history dating back to 1911 when they were first introduced as part of the Australian pound. These pennies were minted at various locations, including London, India, Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth, each with its own unique mintmarks and design variations. The composition of Australian pennies has evolved over time, with some made of copper, while others are highly sought-after rare coins, like the 1930 penny, which can be worth tens of thousands of dollars. The design of the pennies also changed, featuring monarchs George V, George VI, and Elizabeth II on the obverse, and a kangaroo on the reverse during the George VI era. The Australian penny played a significant role during major historical events, including World Wars I and II, and the Great Depression, before its eventual decimalisation in 1966.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Years in circulation | 1911-1966 |
| Denomination | One-cent coin |
| Withdrawal from circulation | 1992 |
| Obverse | Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II (1966-1992), Portrait of King George VI (1936), Portrait of King George V (1911-1936) |
| Reverse | Feathertail glider (1966-1992), Kangaroo (1936), Design by Blakemore (1919) |
| Mints | Royal Mint in London, Birmingham Mint, Calcutta Mint in India, Melbourne Mint, Sydney Mint, Perth Mint |
| Rarest variety | 1930 Penny |
| Most valuable copper penny | 1930 Penny |
| Second rarest variety | 1925 Penny |
| Third rarest variety | 1945 Penny |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Pennies were minted in Australia from 1911 to 1964
The Australian penny was a coin of the Australian pound, which followed the £sd system. Pennies were minted in Australia from 1911 to 1964. The coin was introduced in 1911, and the last penny was minted in 1964. After decimalisation on 14 February 1966, the penny was equal to 0.8333 cents. The obverse of the coin featured the reigning Australian monarch. George V, George VI, and Elizabeth II were the three monarchs featured. All pennies bearing George VI and Elizabeth II had a kangaroo on the reverse. The kangaroo image was also on the Australian half-penny and has been included on the dollar coin and bullion silver kangaroo.
During the George VI era, coins minted in Perth had a dot at the end of the word "penny", after the word "Australia", or between the "K" and "G" above the kangaroo's tail end, while coins from Melbourne did not. An I" under the bust of George VI indicated that the coin was minted in India and is only found on pennies and half pennies dated 1942 and 1943. A PL" mintmark after "penny" indicated minting in London, England, and is only found on the 1951 penny and half penny.
There are some valuable varieties of the Australian penny. Most of these arose from historical events that impacted the normal operations of the country's coin mints or intended changes in the coin minting processes. For example, there is a cluster of 1931 penny varieties that evidence an experimental period of penny production at the Melbourne Mint during the start of the Great Depression. The 1930 penny is one of the rarest Australian coins due to a very small number being minted, and it holds the record as the most valuable copper penny in the world.
Glucomannan: Australia's Ban Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The 1930 penny is one of the rarest Australian coins
Pennies were first introduced in Australia in 1911 and were in circulation until 1966. The coins were made from bronze and featured the reigning Australian monarch on the obverse side. The reverse side of the coin featured a kangaroo.
The 1930 Penny is also known as the 'King' of Australian coin rarities. It is believed that a small number of these pennies were minted, and a coin in very fine condition can be worth A$45,000 or more. The value of the coin depends on its condition, with the amount of wear and tear being a key factor. The design of the coin, created by Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal, features the King wearing the Imperial State Crown. The crown's band features precious stones, often referred to as the diamonds and pearls. This raised part of the design is vulnerable to wear and can indicate the coin's overall condition.
The 1930 Penny has a fascinating history and is surrounded by folklore. It is believed that the coin was struck during the Great Depression, adding to its allure. The coin has been the subject of many theories and stories, with some believing that it was accidentally minted and issued by mistake. The 1930 Penny has inspired a sense of national pride in Australians and is considered a significant part of the country's history and culture.
Mud Crab Diet: What Do These Australian Crustaceans Eat?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Pennies were minted at Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, London, and Calcutta
Australian pennies were minted in several locations, including Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, London, and Calcutta. The first Australian pennies were minted in 1911 at the Royal Mint in London, England, and India. Pennies minted in Perth during the George VI era featured a dot at the end of the word "PENNY", after "AUSTRALIA", or between the "K" and "G" above the kangaroo's tail. Meanwhile, pennies from Melbourne did not have this dot. An ""I" under the bust of George VI indicated minting in India, specifically Bombay, and is found on pennies and half-pennies from 1942 to 1943. A "PL" mintmark denoted minting in London and is seen on the 1951 penny and half-penny.
The Melbourne Mint played a significant role in penny production, with some rare varieties originating there. The 1925 penny, featuring King George on the obverse, was minted in Melbourne in small quantities, making it the second rarest date-struck coin. The Melbourne Mint also produced test pieces in 1945, with only four pennies minted that year, making them highly sought-after by collectors.
The Perth Mint also produced pennies, with the 1945 pennies featuring a dot after the "Y" in "PENNY" on their reverse. The 1956 pennies from Perth can be identified by the number of small beads on the obverse, with 116 beads compared to Melbourne's 120. The Sydney Mint began striking pennies in 1920, and the transfer of dies from Melbourne to Sydney resulted in experimental strikes, creating a cluster of 1920 penny varieties.
The Australian penny was introduced in 1911 and remained in circulation until decimalisation in 1966. It was a coin of the Australian pound and was used during significant historical events such as World War I, the Great Depression, and World War II. The penny's obverse featured the reigning Australian monarch, including George V, George VI, and Elizabeth II. The reverse of the penny depicted a kangaroo for those bearing George VI and Elizabeth II.
Australia's 1975 Government Shutdown: Fact or Fiction?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The obverse of the coin featured the reigning Australian monarch
The Australian penny was a coin of the Australian pound, used in the Commonwealth of Australia before the currency was decimalised in 1966. The first Australian pennies were minted in 1911, with the last being minted in 1964. Pennies were minted in Australia from 1919 onwards, with earlier pennies being minted in London or India.
The 1919 penny is particularly notable as the first Australian penny to be minted on Australian soil. This penny features an obverse of King George V by Mackennal. Pennies minted at the Melbourne Mint in 1945 feature Thomas Humphrey Paget's effigy of King George VI, and these are extremely rare, with only four produced as test pieces for new master tools.
The obverse of the one-cent coin featured Queen Elizabeth II from 1966 until 1984, when it was changed to a version by Raphael Maklouf. The one-cent coin was withdrawn from circulation in 1992, but it is still minted as a non-circulating coin.
A Unified Australia: One Government, Many States
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The 1919 penny was the first minted on Australian soil
The Australian penny was a coin of the Australian pound, following the £sd system. It was introduced in 1911 and the last penny was minted in 1964, two years before decimalisation in 1966. The obverse of the coin featured the reigning Australian monarch, including George V, whose effigy graced the coin's face between 1911 and 1936.
The 1919 pennies have three different variations distinguished by the location of small beads around the scrolls on the reverse. These are: no dots, a dot above the top scroll and a dot below the lower scroll (called a double-dot variation), and a single dot below the lower scroll. These variations arose because the dies used to strike the coins were sourced from different locations: the London Mint, the Melbourne Mint, and the Calcutta Mint in India.
The Melbourne Mint added an unofficial mintmark—a dot under the bottom scroll—to the coins. To commemorate this, proof coins featuring this bottom dot variety were minted. The Sydney Mint, which was preparing to produce penny coinage, received dies from the Melbourne Mint with the date 1919 featuring dots above and below the scrolls. These variations in the 1919 penny coins from Australia may seem insignificant to some collectors, but they illustrate the story of coin production, international importation, and the expansion of mint services in Australia.
Planes Crossing Oceans: California to Australia
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Australian pennies were made from copper.
Pennies were introduced in Australia in 1911 and were minted until 1964.
One Australian penny was worth 1/240th of an Australian pound.
The obverse of the coin featured the reigning Australian monarch. The pennies featured George V, George VI, and Elizabeth II. All pennies with George VI and Elizabeth II had a kangaroo on the reverse.
Yes, there are some rare Australian pennies. The 1930 penny is one of the rarest and most valuable copper pennies in the world. Pennies from 1920, 1931, and 1952 are also considered rare as they were produced during experimental periods or transfers of dies between mints.
