One is rare. Two is remarkable. An exceptional offering of 1920 Kookaburra Pennies, Type 9 and Type 10.

The Kookaburra Square Penny and Square Halfpenny were struck to different designs at the Melbourne Mint over the years 1919, 1920 and 1921. The designs had a constant theme, the reverse depicting a kookaburra sitting on a branch, the obverse displaying the portrait of George V.

A collaboration of designers Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal, Douglas Richardson, local medal manufacturer Stokes & Sons and several unknowns saw the Melbourne Mint produce thirteen different coins involving varying design combinations of obverse and reverse, each piece assigned a numeric number, Type 1, Type 2, Type 3 through to Type 13.

The Type 9 and Type 10 Kookaburra Pennies are two super-stars of the series with a high public profile. They are extremely rare and highly prestigious. And are photographed above.

The coins are the only examples in the thirteen-coin series that have a moniker that acknowledges the specific design traits that make them distinctively different from others in the series. The Type 9 is better known as the ‘Square Legend’ Kookaburra, the Type 10, the ‘Crowned Head’ Kookaburra. It is the moniker that ensures their familiarity with the collecting public today, and for generations to come. 

The Type 9, ‘Square Legend’, kookaburra.

 A traditional circular legend was used on eleven of the thirteen coins struck by the Melbourne Mint, an extension of the style featured on the round copper pennies and halfpennies that they were intended to replace. The Type 9 Kookaburra Penny incorporated a square legend around the rim and parallel to the edge, mirroring the shape of the coin.

The Type 10, 'Crowned Head' Kookaburra.

An uncrowned portrait of George V was depicted on twelve of the thirteen coins struck by the Melbourne Mint. The Type 10 Kookaburra Penny obverse featured the monarch wearing a crown. It also utilised a square legend, the space between the letters in the legend shortened to accommodate the date and is the only kookaburra coin to feature the date as part of the legend.  

Highly prestigious, excruciatingly rare, we are truly honoured to offer the Type 9 and Type 10 Kookaburra Pennies. The Type 9 is offered at $95,000, the Type 10 at $150,000.

Penny, 1920, Type 9
The 'Square Legend' Kookaburra 

 A traditional circular legend was used on the obverse of the two Kookaburra Halfpennies, Type 1 and Type 2. And the eight kookaburra Pennies, Type 3 to Type 8, Type 11, Type 12 and Type 13. Perhaps this was simply an extension of the style featured on the round copper pennies and halfpennies that they were intended to replace.

The Type 9 Kookaburra Penny obverse was struck in 1920, the glamour year of the numismatic industry, and incorporated a square legend around the rim and parallel to the edge, mirroring the shape of the coin. It is an interesting exercise to compare obverses of the the Type 7 and the Type 9 for they are the same. The same portrait. And the same legend except for its positioning, the former circular, the latter square and along the edge. The re-configuration of the legend on the Type 9, mapping the legend to the shape of the coin has strengthened the character of the coin. It is impactful. 

Rarity - One of seven known. We estimate an example would be offered every five to six years. A Type 9 last appeared at an Australian public auction in 2016. 

Composition - Nickel 75% Copper 25%

Reverse - A kookaburra with coarse plumage resting on a branch, the eye struck in relief, the tail with three feathers. The word 'AUSTRALIA' curved, the letters large and well spaced, the penny denomination over two lines. A reverse that is shared with the circular legend Type 7 and the Crowned Head Type 10 

Obverse - Uncrowned effigy of George V, portrait prepared by Australian artist, Douglas Richardson, the portrait with a distinctive central part in the hair. A design shared with the Type 7 Kookaburra Penny. The date '1920' below portrait. The legend is unaltered in context, GEORGIVS D. G. BRITT: OMN:REX  but has been re-positioned so that it runs parallel to the edge. The letters widely spaced. 

Penny, 1920, Type 10
The 'Crowned Head' Kookaburra 

An uncrowned portrait of George V was depicted on the obverse of the two Kookaburra Halfpennies, Type 1 and Type 2. And the ten kookaburra Pennies, Type 3 to Type 9, Type 11, Type 12 and Type 13. Only the Type 10 depicts the monarch wearing a crown, designed by traditionalist, Sir Betram Mackennal.

The Australian Government was avant-garde with its plan to discard the British styled bronze pennies and halfpennies and replace them with a kookaburra square coinage. Radical. Unorthodox. A shift from British mimicry to Australian originality, most assuredly. The stirrings of a Republican movement, undoubtedly. With the monarch not wearing a crown, some would have argued it was downright improper and a grave breach of royal protocols.

The Type 10 Kookaburra Penny is acknowledged, industry-wide, as a great Commonwealth rarity. The coin is a showpiece of the series, and a showpiece of the industry. We have sold only three examples of the Type 10 Crowned Head Kookaburra Penny. The first in 2000. The second in 2008. And the third in 2012. The coin on offer here was sold in 2008. 

Rarity - One of seven known. An example might be offered every five to six years. 

Composition - Nickel 75% Copper 25%

Reverse - A kookaburra with coarse plumage resting on a branch, the tail with three feathers, the eye struck in relief. The word 'AUSTRALIA' is curved, the letters large and well spaced, the penny denomination over two lines. A reverse that is shared with the Type 7 and Type 9. 

Obverse - Crowned effigy of George V, portrait prepared by Australian sculptor Bertram Mackennal, the initials 'BM' appearing on truncation. A unique obverse, the only kookaburra coin to depict the monarch wearing the crown. The legend reads, GEORGEIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN:REX, the date '1920' located in the legend. The space between the letters in the legend have been shortened to accommodate the date. A unique design and a unique positioning of the date, for with the exception of the Type 10, all kookaburra pennies and halfpennies have the date positioned under the portrait.