1927 Proof Canberra Florin, struck at the Melbourne Mint to commemorate the opening of Parliament House in Canberra
The physicality of rare coins has always been appealing, the notion that you can hold history in your hand. And have a direct and very intimate link to an event that occurred centuries earlier. The physicality of collectibles in general (and rare coins in particular) will become more attractive as the digital age gathers pace.
Collectors will simply seek 'time-out' from electronic technology and become grounded with a piece of art (a quality coin) that is physical, that connects them with history, is emotionally rousing and beautiful to look at.
Those words may well have been written for the 1927 Proof Canberra Florin. The coin has a deep connection to Australia's history: released by the Government in 1927 to celebrate the opening of the nation's first parliamentary buildings in Canberra. Exceedingly scarce. Moreover, it is beautiful to look at!
Ask a seasoned collector to name the top five most popular and recognised Australian rare coins, without doubt the 1930 Penny would be at the top of the list. But, the 1927 Proof Canberra Florin would, in all likelihood, be at position number two.
It is a coin that resonates with all Australians and for many collectors it's not a matter of 'if' I will buy a Proof Canberra Florin, it's 'when' I will buy a Proof Canberra.
The coin has genuine rarity. A scarcity that belies its recorded mintage of 400.
It is generally accepted that the issue did not sell-out, the proposed mintage far too optimistic for the size of the collector market at the time. The unsold coins were melted down, the mintage believed to be as small as 150.
The proofs were gifted to politicians and sold to the public without a case thereby introducing the possibility of mishandling. So, for the buyer that makes quality a priority, the pool of available examples is even smaller and the waiting time for a really nice 1927 Proof Canberra Florin, at least a year, maybe even two.
Brilliant mirror fields, antique gold toning on the periphery. Strong strike, with the three parliamentary steps!
Brilliant mirror fields with solid striations and antique gold toning on the periphery.
Brilliant mirror fields, antique gold toning on the periphery. Strong strike, with the three parliamentary steps!
Brilliant mirror fields with solid striations and antique gold toning on the periphery.
The Proof Canberra is Australia's first commemorative coin, minted for one of the most significant events in Australia’s journey to nationhood. The opening of the nation’s first Parliamentary buildings in the national capital in 1927. The coin is distinguished by a unique obverse featuring an enlarged bust of King George V, designed by Sir Edgar Mackennal.
Furthermore, it has a design that resonates with all Australians. In an article published in the CAB Magazine, February 2007, author and respected numismatist Vince Verheyen declared the 1927 Proof Canberra Florin "arguably Australia's most attractive predecimal silver coin". We can only agree. The reverse of 'Old Parliament House' was designed by George Kruger-Gray.
The Proof Canberra Florin offers value and, over the long term, appreciating value.
An analysis of auction realisations over the past forty years, confirms the 1927 Proof Canberra Florin is extremely scarce. On average one pristine example is offered every few years. We also note the coin has enjoyed solid price growth. In the 1980s, a Proof 1927 Canberra Florin was selling for approximately $1000 - $1500 at auction. In the 1990s the coin was fetching betwen $4000 - $6000. Two decades later, top quality Proof Canberra Florins are commanding prices of $20,000 or more.
The Melbourne Mint was Australia’s second coining facility and opened in 1872 to strike gold sovereigns. The mint did not produce any presentation pieces to celebrate its opening in 1872, a missed opportunity for today's collectors.
In 1916 the Melbourne Mint welcomed in a new era and commenced striking silver coins for the newly formed Commonwealth of Australia. The numismatic shortcoming of not issuing specially struck celebratory issues in the year of its opening was addressed in 1916.
The Deputy Master of the Melbourne Mint authorised the production of sixty cased Presentation Sets, each set comprised of four 1916 dated silver coins, the florin, shilling, sixpence and threepence struck to a specimen finish. Each coin featured the Commonwealth Coat of Arms and showed the Melbourne mint mark ‘M’ below the date 1916.
The 1916 Sets were the very first 'commercial' issue to come out of an Australian Mint. A portion was earmarked to sell to collectors with a 2/-3d premium over face value. Others were gifted to dignitaries.
The Melbourne Mint continued to strike proof issues until it ceased minting operations in 1964. But the issues were struck sporadically, in only the years 1927, 1934, 1935, 1937, 1938, 1939 and 1953.
The Melbourne Mint's issues, especially struck for collectors, are extremely scarce and they are celebrated as critical points in Australia's numismatic history.
The table below indicates the collector issues that were struck between 1916 and 1953 and the suggested mintage: the figures determined from the mint's historical records including letters and sales ledgers and are shown in brackets.
You will note that the 1927 Proof Canberra Florin was the second 'commercial' coin issue produced by the Melbourne Mint and sold to collectors.
• 1916 Specimen Set ( 60 )
• 1927 Proof Canberra Florin ( 400 )
• 1934 Proof Set ( 50 )
• 1935 Proof Pair ( 125 )
• 1937 Proof Crown ( 100 )
• 1938 Proof Set ( 68 )
• 1938 Proof Crown ( 52 )
• 1939 Proof Halfpenny ( 40 )
• 1953 Specimen Set ( 12 )
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