The Kookaburra Penny and the Kookaburra Halfpenny. Coins that have simple design elegance. Produced for Australians, by Australians, in 1919, 1920 and 1921. A shift from British mimicry to Australian originality, post-World War I.

In 1919, the Government put forward a proposal to replace the round 'British-styled' coppers in use at the time with a completely new Australian coin. Proudly nationalistic, crafted on one side, with a kookaburra sitting on a branch, underneath the word 'AUSTRALIA' and on the other side, a portrait of George V. It was Australia's first attempt at independent design in our currency, coins that were Australian in imagery, concept and form. 

The period 1919 to 1921, sits squarely in the post–World War I period, the first years of peace after immense war-time loss. And an experimental era when Australia was rebuilding its national confidence and defining its own national identity through design. Or through whatever means it could. 

For many Australians, it was a time for breaking out, of questioning and changing old values and behaviour and enjoying the good life. It was a time of great change. People forgot the old and embraced the new in an attempt to leave the hardship and struggles of the war behind them. New technology was being created, like toasters and cars, things that today we take for granted. The fashion world was exploding, Australians embracing great change in their styles of dress.

Australians were identifying with their own culture, keen to lessen the emotional and cultural ties with Great Britain. The Government wanted to tap into this nationalistic sentiment and create a new, totally Australian coinage, the Kookaburra Penny and Kookaburra Halfpenny, envisaging coins that would be unique to Australia.

It was one of the instruments the Government believed would give us a greater awareness, and appreciation, of all things Australian. A mechanism to promote national spirit. 

The proposal was contentious in that King George V was depicted on the obverse without a crown. It is noted that all coins struck under the newly formed Commonwealth of Australia depicted a crowned monarch.

Contentious also the use of the word 'Australia' in the design and not 'Commonwealth of Australia'. It was a hard road to Federation, uniting the six colonies under one banner, involving decades of negotiation and intense debate. Ultimately, the six separate British colonies united under the banner Commonwealth of Australia on January 1, 1901. Again, it is noted that Australia's bronze pennies and halfpennies issued by the newly formed Commonwealth of Australia acknowledged the nation's federated status in the legend.

Trials commenced at the Melbourne Mint in 1919 and continued until 1921, the mint producing different designs, each a variation of the one theme of a kookaburra sitting on a branch and on the other side, an uncrowned portrait of George V. The test pieces ultimately passed to dignitaries and Government officials to assess their reaction. 

There is no consensus as to why the coins did not move into production. The resignation in 1920 of Treasurer, William Watts, a supporter of the Kookaburra coinage did not impact on the program as his replacement Sir Joseph Cook was strongly in favour. That vending machines required a circular coin is also refuted as is the claim that it was unpopular with the general population. 

Our view is that it was simply too soon in the national psyche.

While shaping our identity was politically expedient, uniting the states under the banner of Commonwealth of Australia was deemed a higher and more important priority. And the reality is the words 'Commonwealth of Australia' could never have been incorporated into the kookaburra design, given the size of the coins. 

The quest to define Australia's national identity began with the Kookaburra Pennies and Halfpennies. It was Australia's first attempt at independent design in our coinage, a currency that was Australian in imagery, concept and form. 

Transitioning to a more independent identity commenced in 1937/1938. And was extended in 1966, when Australia changed to decimal currency. On the five denominations, one, two, five, ten and twenty cent, the word 'Australia' appeared on the obverse and animals native to Australia appeared on the reverse. 

At the request of Government, the Melbourne Mint began testing a square coinage in 1919, the intention to replace the British-styled copper penny and halfpenny in use at the time. The mint also trialed a new metal, cupro-nickel.

The only denomination produced in 1919 was the square penny, crafted on one side with a kookaburra sitting on a branch. And on the other side, an uncrowned portrait of George V. Four variations on the one theme were produced in 1919 and they are designated the Type 3, Type 4, Type 5 and Type 6 Kookaburra Pennies.

Five penny variations were produced in 1920, designated the Type 7, Type 8, Type 9, Type 10. And the Type 13, a previously unknown design that was only discovered during a stocktake in the Museum of Victoria in the 1970s. Hence the out of step numeric sequence. 

In 1920, the mint expanded its focus and tested, along with several pennies, a halfpenny. Only one halfpenny design was tested, the Type 1.

The year 1921 was the final year of testing at the Melbourne Mint. Two penny variations on the kookaburra theme were produced in 1921, the Type 11 and the Type 12. And one halfpenny, the Type 2. 

The Kookaburra coins, Type 1 to Type 13 were struck in cupro-nickel. Three kookaburra pennies were especially struck in .925 fine Sterling Silver for Albert Le Souef, a passionate collector who also was a Deputy Master of the Melbourne Mint between 1921 and 1926. He amassed a magnificent collection that was almost entirely donated to the Museum of Victoria.

His love of silver coinage was the driving force behind the striking of three Square Pennies in Sterling Silver. All were dated 1919, the first struck depicting the Type 4 design. A second depicting the Type 5 and the third, the Type 6. Each coin is unique. And each is stunning. You would be forgiven for thinking they were struck to proof quality.

The program of testing did not move forward beyond 1921. And the coins did not move into production. It is believed that over the three-year period two hundred pieces, of various designs, were produced, of which we estimate, one hundred and fifty are available to collectors. 

The best thing for collectors is that the one hundred and fifty kookaburra coins do not bear the same design. The Melbourne Mint tested many different styles of both obverse and reverse introducing enormous interest, personal choice and procurement challenges into the series. And each style has a different rarity rating.

The table below shows the design type and rarity of each of the Types 1 to 13. And the sterling silver kookaburra pennies. 

It is a statement of fact that a Kookaburra Square Penny and a Kookaburra Square Halfpenny with minor toning and beautiful surfaces is a joy to behold. And a prized classic Australian coin rarity.

We have not met a client that hasn’t enjoyed the experience of owning a Kookaburra Square coin. They are engaging. And they are prestigious.

But is one enough?

Collectors aim for completion and while owning every coin can be prohibitive, both financially and from a time perspective, collectors also pursue themes within a series.

A "sub-set", if you like. One that feels complete, resulting in a display-worthy set or collection. Collectors have many options when it comes to the Kookaburra coin series. All of them are exciting and importantly, they are achievable.

You can buy a Kookaburra Penny and a Kookaburra Halfpenny. The easiest pairing here is the 1921 Square Penny and 1921 Square Halfpenny. Extremely rare as a pair.

Buy a three-coin Date Set. A popular choice of acquiring a date set of Kookaburra Pennies. Three coins, one struck in 1919, 1920 and 1921. Your pick of design.

Buy a Date Set. And add the Halfpenny. Collectors that have followed the date set pathway nine times out of ten opt for a Kookaburra Halfpenny, just to complete a run of four.

And we also have several collectors that are moving to acquire the lot! Every Kookaburra Penny and Kookaburra Halfpenny design that is available to collectors. Challenging and yet achievable. One client has done it. And we know that two collectors are very close to completion.