1852 Adelaide Pound struck using the second reverse die featuring a scalloped inner border (Type II)

The 1852 Adelaide Pound is the nation's first coin, minted at the Government Assay Office Adelaide. And this coin, struck using the second reverse die, is referred to as a Type II Adelaide Pound. 

The high-quality ranking of Brilliant Uncirculated is an acknowledgement of the glorious state of the fields and the strike. It is a brilliant example of the nation's first gold coin and is extremely rare at this quality level. And an exception to those most frequently sighted.

Both obverse and reverse fields are lustrous, highly reflective. The design has been well executed and presents elements that are seldom seen.

Beautiful edge denticles, all the way around and a strong legend, 'Government Assay Office', also all the way around. And the crown is sharply defined, the cross on the orb at the top of the crown complete. The pleats in the cloth, on which the two fleur-de-lis rest, are well defined as are the jewels in the band of the crown.

History records that disaster struck during the early stages of the minting of the 1852 Adelaide Pound. 

Die-maker and engraver Joshua Payne later confirmed that staff had struggled to find the correct pressure levels to exert on the dies to execute a strong overall design. In the early stages of production, pressure was applied to the edges to ensure that the denticles and legend were strong.

The downside to this decision is that excessive pressure applied to the edges cracked the reverse die, forcing an interruption to minting. The upside to this decision is that Adelaide Pounds struck during the first production run have almost picture-perfect edges and beautiful strong denticles.

Relaxing the pressure on the dies in the second production run, lengthened the die usage but created its own shortcomings. 

Once the pressure was reduced on the edges, the perfection that was achieved in the denticles and legend in the first run of coins was simply not achievable in the second run.

Adelaide Pounds from the second production run notoriously have weakness in the edges and weakness in the legend, most particularly in the Assay Office area. And this is noted in about nine out of every ten examples.

But, the crown design will invariably be well executed with flattened areas mainly due to circulation. (Flattened areas may also reflect die usage and be due to a poor strike.)

This Type II 1852 Adelaide Pound has a beautiful balance of strong edge denticles, strong legend and a brilliantly struck crown. It is the exception to those most frequently sighted.

1852 Adelaide Pound struck using the second reverse die featuring a crenellated inner border (Type II)

Brilliant Uncirculated and extremely rare as such

$75,000

The coin displays full design detail with strong edge denticles that are complete. The legend 'Government Assay Office Adelaide' also is strong all the way around, noted in the snapshot shown.

The crown is highly detailed, the cross on the orb at the top of the crown is complete, the two fleur-de-lis, the pleats in the cloth all well defined as are the jewels in the band of the crown, also noted in the snapshot shown.

The reverse features a crenelated inner border, affirming that this Adelaide Pound was struck using the second reverse die, the first die having cracked. The reverse is superbly struck with rims all the way around and is highly lustrous.