1931 Perth Mint Proof Sovereign

The value of a coin is impacted by its original mintage and the number available to collectors out in the market place. That is only logical. The more examples out there, the lower the value. A simple enactment of supply and demand.

However, the value placed on a coin will also be influenced by the number of 'similar' pieces that are available to collectors. Again its logical, and it is particularly applicable to those collectors that are not fussed by dates and simply crave a particular design.

As a case in point, the Melbourne Mint struck proofs in each year of the Veiled Head era, 1893 to 1901. So if you are not fussed by the year, a collector can opt for any of the dates, subject to availability of course, to obtain the Veiled Head design.

There are no such luxuries for collectors of Perth Mint Coins of Record.

The Perth Mint opened its doors on 20 June 1899 to support Western Australia's gold industry and struck circulating sovereigns every year until 1931 when the Perth Mint, and the rest of the Australia mints, ceased striking gold sovereigns. 

Over thirty-three years of gold coining production, the Perth Mint struck Coins of Record of its sovereigns in only three years, 1899 (its opening year), 1901 and 1931 (final year of sovereign production).

We have looked at the numbers that are available to collectors in each of these years, 1899, 1901 and 1931 and have come up with a total buying pool of five sovereigns, the availability noted after the bullet point.

1899 Proof or Specimen Sovereign  • 1*

1901 Proof Sovereign • 2

1931 Proof Sovereign • 2 **

*  The market postulates the existence of one example, but its whereabouts is unknown
**  While two examples are known, one is impaired through mishandling

The Perth Mint is so exclusive in numbers, striking proofs in only three years out of thirty-three, there are no easy options for collectors in procuring another date.

This coin is the only proof coin struck at the Perth Mint during the reign of George V (1911 to 1931). 

And the Perth Mint did not strike any proofs during King Edward VII's reign (1901 to 1910). 

And there were only two years during the Veiled Head era where Coins of Record were struck, 1899 and 1901, and the whereabouts of the 1899 Proof Sovereign is unknown.

The gold Coins of Record of the Perth Mint have influence, power, and a world-wide reputation as the least available sector of the entire Australian rare coin market.

Each coin is historic. Many are unique. And for collectors, with the exception of the 1901 Proof Sovereign, they are irreplaceable.

On the very few occasions when a Perth Mint gold proof or specimen strike has become available, London 1903, Sydney 1985, Sydney 1989 and Zurich 2021, history shows us that the market the world-over takes a keen interest.

1931 Perth Mint Proof Sovereign

Price: $225,000

Unique for quality, the finest of two available to collectors, the other example impaired through mishandling.

Ex Barrie Winsor sale by private treaty to Coinworks, February 2013.

This Proof 1931 Sovereign is a 'coin for the ages', a fusion of history and prestige. History because this coin was struck at the Perth Mint as a presentation piece to represent Australia's very last sovereign. Prestige because it is a Perth Mint Coin of Record, a sector that has a world-wide reputation as the least available of the entire Australian rare coin market. 

This coin is historic. This coin is unique for quality. And for collectors, this coin is irreplaceable.