Complete Collection of Pennies, 1911 to 1964, including the coveted 1930 Penny and the scarce dates of 1925 and 1946.
The 1930 Penny was struck during the Great Depression. With unemployment tipping 30 per cent, the notion that a coin could be saved or kept as a collectible was nonsensical. Any coin that came into a family's hands was used. In fact, well used. This 1930 Penny has flukishly undergone minimal circulation for it has an almost full central diamond and six plump pearls, a quality level that is at least two to three grades higher than those most commonly found. It has, however, at some early stage been brushed to remove dirt and debris. It is not noticeable to the naked eye, but under magnification, it can be seen. Which is why the coin has been priced at this level.
Examining a 1930 Penny is a three-step process. The first step is to look at the coin in the flesh using the naked eye.
In our view, a coin has to look good to the unaided eye. And this coin is visually attractive.
The toning is even and a handsome chocolate brown, the fields highly reflective The reverse has strong definition in the upper and lower scrolls. The inner beading which is invariably weakly struck between the 4 o'clock and 6 o'clock area is well defined. The legend 'COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA' and date '1930' are powerful.
Moving the obverse through the light you see the complete lower band of the crown. You also observe the strong design details of the monarch's robes. We comment again on the very even and handsome nature of the toning on the obverse.
The second step is to take up a magnifying glass and examine the coin in detail.
The eye glass confirms the technical attributes of this 1930 Penny, confirming that it is well above average quality-wise. There are three nearly four sides of the central diamond and six crisp pearls. The oval to the left of the central diamond is virtually intact. The reverse is graded Very Fine.
The final step is to re-visit the coin with the naked eye.
This final step is to make sure that you have taken everything in. Start with the edges and work your way in: inner beading, upper and lower scrolls, fields. And on the obverse, start with the edges, the fields, then the portrait.
This is a very attractive coin, technically well above those most commonly found, and brilliantly priced.
1930 Penny Reverse
1930 Penny Obverse
There are many reasons why collectors love the 1930 Penny and one of the prime reasons is its financial reliability.
It is a solid coin. And this genuinely counts. In fact, we would go one step further and say that over the long term the 1930 Penny has probably been one of our most consistent and trustworthy numismatic performers.
The second reason is that the 1930 Penny is as Australian as you can get. Struck during the Great Depression, the 1930 Penny is the nation’s glamour coin and is unrivalled for popularity, enjoying a constant stream of demand unmatched by any other numismatic rarity.
The third reason is that the 1930 Penny is sought after at all quality levels and all dollar levels. It is in many respects an industry phenomenon, for in a market that is quality focused the 1930 Penny is keenly sought irrespective of its quality ranking. And growth over the mid to long term has been significant across all quality levels. Well circulated (Fine) 1930 Pennies were selling for £50 in the 1950s. A decade later, by decimal changeover, the coins were fetching £255 ($510). By 1988, Australia's Bicentenary, a Fine 1930 Penny had reached $6000. The turn of the century saw 1930 Penny prices move to a minimum of $13,000. Twenty-plus years later prices have doubled. And with a 100th anniversary just five years away, the push to acquire Australia’s favourite Penny is really on.
Complete Collection of Pennies, 1911 to 1964, including the coveted 1930 Penny and the scarce dates of 1925 and 1946.
Price $22,000
About Very Fine / Very Fine
This 1930 Penny has flukishly undergone minimal circulation for it has an almost full central diamond and six plump pearls, a quality level that is at least two to three grades higher than those most commonly found.
The toning is even and a handsome chocolate brown, the fields highly reflective The reverse has strong definition in the upper and lower scrolls. The inner beading which is invariably weakly struck between the 4 o'clock and 6 o'clock area is well defined. The legend 'COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA' and date '1930' are powerful.
It has, however, at some early stage been brushed to remove dirt and debris.
It is not noticeable to the naked eye, but under magnification, it can be seen. Which is why the coin has been priced at this level.
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