1852 Adelaide Pound struck with the second die, visually appealing and technically solid

The first gold coin for the nation was struck at the Adelaide Assay Office on 23 September 1852. We know it today as the 1852 Adelaide Pound. It is our most popular gold coin, and sought after at all quality levels.

Collectors have a choice when it comes to acquiring an 1852 Adelaide Pound. An example from the first production run. Or the second run. The nation’s first gold coin was produced over two production runs.

The same obverse design was used throughout, featuring the legend 'Government Assay Office Adelaide', a crown and the date '1852'. But each production run used different reverse dies, the first using a die with stylish lettering and an elegant beaded inner circle. (Coins struck from the first die are known as Type I Adelaide Pounds.)

The second die had plain lettering and a crenelated inner circle. (Coins struck from the second die are known as Type II Adelaide Pounds.)

Irrespective of the production run, the Adelaide Pound is a scarce coin. Forty examples survive today of the Type I, with perhaps two hundred and fifty of the Type II.

So which coin to choose. The answer is an easy one and for most collectors it is the Type II.

Because of their extreme rarity, Adelaide Pounds minted in the first production run, require a substantial financial outlay. In excess of $100,000 for quality examples with the top Type Is commanding $400,000-plus. Purely from a financial perspective, most collectors opt for coins from the second production run in the knowledge that for $25,000 you can acquire an aesthetically and technically pleasing Type II Adelaide Pound, such as this coin!

1852 Adelaide Pound struck with the second die (Type II)

Price: $25,000

About Extremely Fine

The ‘miracle of numismatics’. We often use this term when the state in which a coin is found defies the odds. 

It can be applied examples that show no signs of circulation but it is equally appropriate for this well circulated 1852 Adelaide Pound. 

What is remarkable about this Adelaide Pound is that, despite its obvious usage, it has not sustained any damage. There are none of the gouges and knocks you would normally see in a well circulated gold coin. 

This is a much-loved example of the nation’s first gold coin available at a very affordable price.