1937 Proof Crown

Key buying points. Superb quality. One of the finest known. Australia's first - and only - commemorative proof crown. Limited mintage of 100 pieces. A provenance that re-affirms its quality.

Given that the original mintage of the 1937 Proof Crown was 100 pieces, the coin is today rarely ever sighted.

Our experience? We would be lucky to see one example at auction annually.

Now factor quality into the buying equation.

Again our experience is that two out of every three 1937 Proof Crowns that we sight simply don't come up to scratch quality-wise.

And the reason?

The release of the 1937 Proof Crown was a very public occasion that saw many of the coins out of the original mintage being sold to non-collectors introducing multi-opportunities for mishandling.

The example offered here has obviously been well cared for from the day it was struck and is a superb FDC.

And is available now.

When Edward VIII decided to abdicate the British throne in 1936, currency issues throughout the world were thrown into disarray.

The Australian Government was about to launch new coin designs to coincide with Edward’s coronation.

The plans had to be scuttled due to Edwards’ abdication from the British throne.

To distract from the chaos, the Australian Government issued its first five-shilling piece, the 1937 Crown, depicting the portrait of the new king, George VI (Edward’s brother). 

The notion of a Crown sized coin was pushed by the Treasurer of the day, R G Casey who later became Governor General of Australia. The coin was - and still is - referred to as ‘Casey’s Cartwheel’.

The 1937 Crown is Australia’s only commemorative crown. And it was the only currency issue released in 1937 making it an extremely popular collectable. Its appeal is timeless.