Kookaburra Penny, 1920, Type 8 • The rarest & a unique design • $95,000

The Type 8 is the rarest of the Kookaburra Pennies dated 1920, and along with the Type 4 is the rarest of the series. The Type 8 also has a unique kookaburra reverse design.

For collectors, four penny variations were produced in 1920 and they are designated the Type 7, Type 8, Type 9 and Type 10. The design Type 8 Kookaburra Penny has a sculpted kookaburra resting on a distinctively curved branch, a design that is unique to the series. And a sculpted portrait of George V that is unique to the Kookaburra Penny. (The design was replicated on the  1920 Type 1 Halfpenny.) With the exception of the Type 10, which features the monarch wearing a crown, the Type 7, Type 8 and Type 9 show variations in the hair line of George V. The 7 and 9 featuring a central part in the hair, the Type 8 a slightly off-centre side part.

Only two examples have ever appeared at a public auction, the first in 1975, the coin noted as having a significant scratch extending from the kookaburra's tail on the reverse. The same coin was offered at auction again in 1981. The second example appeared in 1993, and sold as part of the Osborne Collection. A Type 8 has not appeared at auction since. An example is incorrectly noted as appearing at auction in November 2003. (The coin was a Type 7.) We have recorded sales of two other examples. This coin, sold as part of the Complete Kookaburra Collection in 2000, having originally come from Barrie Winsor in the mid-1990s. We sold one other example in 2009, now held in a long term collection. 

Rarity - One of four known. Appearing on the market every ten to fifteen years. 

Reverse - A kookaburra design unique to the Type 8. The kookaburra is perched on a slightly curved tree branch, the beak extraordinarily long, extending to the 'A' in 'AUSTRALIA'. The eye struck in relief, four feathers in the tail. The word 'AUSTRALIA' sharply curved in large lettering, the penny denomination over two lines. The 'Y' in 'PENNY' is close to the rim and was said to be the reason why this design was disbanded.

Obverse - Uncrowned effigy of George V, created by Australian artist Douglas Richardson. George V with chiselled features, high cheekbones, the hair an off-centre part. The circular legend reads 'GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN:REX'. The date '1920' appears below the portrait, between ornamental stops. The Type 8 portrait is shared with the 1920 Type 1 Kookaburra Halfpenny.