1947 Proof Florin struck at the Melbourne Mint and one of two known

An interesting picture emerges when you review the George VI  silver Coins of Record (1938 to 1952). The sector is inordinately scarce, World War II and a silver crisis, two major events that severely impacted the Melbourne Mint's coining agenda.

During the George VI era of 1938 to 1952, the Melbourne Mint only struck Coins of Record of its silver denominations in 1939, 1945, 1946 and 1947 offering collectors a total buying pool of just four coins, the availability noted below after the bullet point.

1939 Proof Shilling • 1

1945 Proof Florin & Shilling • 0 (all coins archived)

1946 Pattern Florin • 1 (struck in cupro-nickel)

1947 Proof Florin • 2

World War II commenced late in 1939 (September) and the mint’s priorities took a drastic U-turn, allocating its resources to supporting the war effort.

Only a handful of Proof 1939 Shillings were struck as Coins of Record with just one example available to collectors.

Proof coining at the Melbourne Mint ‘fell off a cliff’ from 1939 onwards, the war taking its toll. 

Proofs that were to be retained within minting circles were curtailed and Coins of Record of the nation's silver coins were not struck in 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943 and 1944.

During the mid 1940s the Government faced a new challenge from rapidly escalating silver prices. As a nation still striking its coins in sterling silver, the impact was enormous. The Melbourne Mint became heavily involved in experimenting with new metals for Government and production of Coins of Record was minimal.

In 1945 records at the Melbourne Mint reveal that two proof examples of the 1945 Florin and 1945 Shilling were retained as the last silver florins and shillings struck in sterling silver. There are none in private hands.

In 1946 the Melbourne Mint struck four pattern florins in cupro-nickel, experimenting with new alloys.

One of the '46 florins was offered at Spink Auctions in 1988 and is now in private hands, held with a Coinworks client.

A decision was finally made in 1946 to strike all of Australia's circulating currency in a reduced silver quarternary alloy of 50% silver, 40% copper, 5% nickel, 5% zinc.

Proofs were struck in 1947, in the new alloy. Two examples of the Proof 1947 Florin are held in private hands one of which is offered here.

The next Coin of Record of the nation's silver currency was produced seven years later in 1954, under a new monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.

1947 Proof Florin ex Carnegie Institute Pittsburgh, FDC and one of two known

Price $25,000

A stunning 1947 Proof Florin, featuring Australia’s new Coat of Arms design on the reverse and the portrait of George VI on the obverse. 

Struck as a Coin of Record at the Melbourne Mint, it is one of two privately held examples. 

It is a valuable and important acquisition for during the George VI era of 1938 to 1952, the Melbourne Mint only struck Coins of Record of its silver denominations in 1939, 1945, 1946 and 1947.

And only three of them offer collectors opportunities for purchase 1939, 1946 and 1947, the silver proofs of 1945 held in the Museum of Victoria.  

A Coin of Record is, as the name suggests, a coin that was minted to put on record a date or a design.

Such coins were especially struck to a proof or specimen finish and were not produced on a commercial scale.

Rather, they were struck to meet the needs of the mint. They were not struck to satisfy any collector interest or demand.

It was traditional for Coins of Record to be forwarded to the monarch at the time and perhaps the Royal Mint. Coins of Record were also, very occasionally, produced for a VIP or a selected museum.

It is noted that proofs were also struck for international manufacturing trade fairs or exhibitions to showcase the mint's coining skills and promote business.

Regardless of the reason, the actual numbers struck in any particular year ranged from just one to ten pieces.

A Coin of Record struck to a proof finish - or a specimen finish - is a powerful, artistic interpretation of a coin and was meant to impress, with mirrored fields that bounced the light and a wealth of design depth.