1920 Kookaburra Penny, Type 7, struck in a year that produced Australia's greatest rarities
The year nineteen-twenty has produced some of Australia's greatest coin rarities, and this 1920, Type 7 Kookaburra Penny is one of them. Twelve coins out of the original mintage survive today. And this example is stunning.
Coins capture the mood of a nation, and so it is with the Kookaburra Penny and Halfpenny produced between 1919 and 1921. A post-World War I period and the first years of peace after immense war-time loss. And an experimental era when Australia was re-building its national confidence and defining its own national identity through design. The kookaburra coins were trailblazers. They pushed the boundaries of traditional design practices, introduced an innovative material of cupro-nickel and created a 'never-tried before' design concept of depicting wildlife unique to Australia. The term ‘Commonwealth of Australia’ was replaced with the single word ‘Australia’, the kookaburra replacing the British styled coin. And while the effigy was a requirement for legal tender status, the monarch was depicted without a crown.
The historical significance of the kookaburra coins cannot be overstated.
We have a four-point check-list for evaluating a Kookaburra Penny that involves the date, design type, quality and price.
1. What is the date?
For the Kookaburra Pennies were struck in 1919, 1920 and 1921.
Our comments:
The year 1920 is a stand-out year as far as the industry is concerned as it hosts some of the rarest and most famous coins of the Australian numismatic industry: the 1920 Star Florin, Australia's rarest florin, one of Australia's most valuable shillings, the 1920 Star Shilling. And Australia's most valuable sovereign, the 1920 Sydney Mint Sovereign. And, of course, the 1920 Kookaburra Pennies.
2. What is the design type?
While all Square Pennies are rare, some designs are far rarer than others. But, as you would expect, with that rarity comes a higher price tag.
Our comments:
The Type 7 is extremely rare with an estimated twelve examples available to collectors. We might see a Type 7 on the market every eighteen months to two years. We note that Australia's largest auction house last sold a Type 7 in 2016!
3. What is the quality?
The Square Pennies were test pieces and were not struck to the heady controls of a proof striking. As the coins were passed to the public for opinions and comments, some have been mishandled.
Our comments:
Some Kookaburra coins are so rare, that quality almost becomes irrelevant. But in cases such as the Type 7 which would become available a few times in a decade, quality can be considered. This coin is superb for quality. Take it through the light and you would be forgiven for thinking that it was minted to proof quality, the fields are like mirrors. And it is well struck, the details in the legend, portrait and the kookaburra are strongly three-dimensional. Could you improve upon the quality of this coin? We doubt it!
4. What is the price?
Given its quality assignation of Choice Uncirculated and its rarity, the 1920 Type 7 Kookaburra Penny is priced to market at $65,000.
Our comments: This 1920 Square Penny is priced at the same level as a high quality Very Fine 1930 Penny and yet is far, far scarcer.
Summary statement.
The Type 7 1920 Kookaburra Penny is extremely rare and is the most popular of those dated 1920. And a Coinworks all-time favourite.
Choice Uncirculated, 1920 Type 7 Kookaburra Penny • Price $65,000
The year 1920 is the glamour year of the industry and the glamour year of the kookaburra coin series.
The collector that wishes to acquire a 1920 Kookaburra Penny has four options, the Type 7, Type 8, Type 9 and Type 10. The decision about which coin to acquire will most certainly be influenced by availability. And perhaps price.
The Type 7 Kookaburra Penny is the most available of the 1920 designs. That is not a criticism. Simply a statement of fact. For the Type 7 is still extremely scarce with a waiting time of perhaps eighteen months to two years for an example to come onto the market.
But a collector could realistically be looking at a waiting time of six to ten years, or more, for another design type dated 1920. A time lag that would exasperate even the most patient of buyers.
Extremely rare, and yet available within a reasonable time frame are the prime reasons why the Type 7 is the most popular of those dated 1920.
There is no doubt that the Melbourne Mint utilised different finishes with each coin type, and in each year. Our comment is that a superb Type 7 is a coin to behold! Proof-like and mirror fields and this coin is no exception.
Rarity - one of twelve known. We estimate an example would be offered every two to three years.
Composition - Nickel 75% Copper 25%
Reverse - A kookaburra with coarse plumage resting on a branch, the eye struck in relief, the tail with three feathers. The word 'AUSTRALIA' is curved, the letters large and well spaced, the penny denomination over two lines. A reverse that is shared with the Square Legend Type 9 and the Crowned Head Type 10
Obverse - Uncrowned effigy of George V, portrait prepared by Australian artist, Douglas Richardson, the portrait with a distinctive central part in the hair. A design shared with the Square Legend Type 9 Kookaburra Penny. The circular legend reads GEORGIVS D. G. BRITT: OMN:REX, the date '1920' appearing below the portrait, separated from the legend by ornamental stops.
© Copyright: Coinworks