1918 Perth Mint Half Sovereign
Reverse of the 1918 Half Sovereign with the ‘P’ (for Perth Mint) above the date.
The second aspect that must be noted is that the 1918 Perth Mint Half Sovereign is rare with less than 300 believed in existence across all ranges of quality.
Australia began striking half sovereigns in 1855 at the Sydney Mint. The nation’s last half sovereign is dated 1918 and was struck at the Perth Mint.
During the period 1855 to 1918, three monarchs appeared on our coinage, Queen Victoria (1855 to 1901), Edward VII (1902 to 1910) and, as shown on this coin, George V (1911 to 1918).
The 1918 Perth Mint Half Sovereign is an enigma. Akin to the 1930 Penny in that mystery surrounds its striking.
Perth Mint records indicate that no half sovereigns were struck in 1918.
Obverse of the 1918 Half Sovereign depicting the portrait of George V.
The appearance of a 1918 Half Sovereign in 'The Australian Coin Review' in April 1967 set the records straight and proved otherwise.
Extensive research has been undertaken on die usage at the Perth Mint in 1918 and in the ensuing years. It is now believed that a mintage was struck in 1919, and again in 1920, using the dies dated 1918.
All of which was exported overseas with the majority believed melted down.
This is a world class coin rarity presented in the supreme quality of Choice Uncirculated and, for the record, is only the second Choice Uncirculated example that we have ever handled.
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