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The Perth Mint opened its doors on 20 June 1899 to support Western Australia's gold industry.

In 2024, as the mint celebrates its one hundred and twenty fifth anniversary of coining, CEO Paul Graham described the Perth Mint as a "unique and tradition-rich organisation".

The traditions that the Perth Mint now embrace, the creation of precious metal masterpieces and continual coining excellence, had their beginnings with the coins shown above.

They are Coins of Record and represent four - of only the five record pieces - produced by the Perth Mint in the years 1899 to 1931.

Coins of Record were struck by the Perth Mint to a proof or specimen finish, to meet the operational needs of the mint. They were not struck for commercial purposes.

Even so, the coins were meant to impress with mirrored fields that bounced the light and a wealth of design depth.

Coins of Record boast an aesthetic resilience. They are a powerful, artistic interpretation of coinage and, because of their extreme scarcity, hold an exalted position with collectors.

The Coins of Record of the Perth Mint are so rare and historically important, they deserve to be preserved for future generations and publicly displayed so that they can be shared.

International acclaim came early to the Perth Mint for its Coins of Record.

The newly opened branch of the Royal Mint London captured the attention of the international coin community as early as March 1903, when British collector John G. Murdoch sold his collection of Australian proof sovereigns and proof half sovereigns through Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, London.

The Australian section of Murdoch's collection was comprised predominantly of coins struck at the Melbourne Mint and a small number of Sydney Mint specimens. Murdoch's collection also held a smattering of Perth Mint Coins of Record, two 1899 Sovereigns and two pairs of 1901 Sovereign and Half Sovereign.

History records that one of the 1901 Half Sovereigns was acquired by legendary British collector, Reginald Huth, an acknowledgment that just two years after its striking, the coin was already an acclaimed 'great' coin rarity.

The Coins of Record of the Perth Mint are still to this day a global phenomenon and demand has never faltered. On the very few occasions the coins have been offered, demand has only intensified.

The most recent auction appearance in Zurich in November 2021 saw a Perth Mint 1901 Proof Sovereign dominate the sale, testimony to the power of the Perth Mint Coins of Record.

The infrequent auction appearances reflect their genuine rarity. For while the Perth Mint, between 1899 and 1931, was a prolific producer of circulating gold sovereigns and to a lesser extent half sovereigns, the Mint struck Coins of Record in only three of those years, 1899, 1901 and 1931.

The heritage of the Perth Mint’s Coins of Record is represented by five pieces only.

• 1899 Sovereign, proof or specimen striking

• 1899 Half Sovereign, proof or specimen striking

• 1901 Sovereign, proof striking

• 1901 Half Sovereign, proof striking

• 1931 Sovereign, proof striking

No one collector, or organisation, has ever achieved what is now within reach of the Perth Mint. Ownership of the five coins that make up the Perth Mint's Coin of Record heritage, 1899 to 1931.

The first Coin of Record was struck at the Perth Mint in 1899, a sovereign. It is fortuitous that an example is already held in the Perth Mint's archives.

Coinworks has been appointed sole agent to sell, by private treaty, the remaining four Perth Mint Coins of Record; the half sovereign of 1899, the sovereign and half sovereign of 1901 and the sovereign of 1931, shown below.

We believe it is only appropriate that the Perth Mint is given exclusive access to these coins and presented with the opportunity for ownership; an opportunity that is unprecedented.

The four coins are offered as a set for $1.425 million.

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1899 Half Sovereign
Proof or specimen striking
Perth Mint Coin of Record

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1901 Sovereign
Proof striking
Perth Mint Coin of Record

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1901 Half Sovereign
Proof striking
Perth Mint Coin of Record

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1931 Sovereign
Proof striking
Perth Mint Coin of Record

This collection of four coins is of the utmost significance as the set cannot be replicated. The 1899 Half Sovereign is unique with no other examples held by private collectors or institutions worldwide. The 1901 Proof Half Sovereign is the only known example in private hands.

The history of these four coins, their relevance to the Perth Mint, support the case for the Perth Mint to become their new owner. And importantly, become their custodian, to preserve the mint's heritage for future generations.

Their relevance to the Perth Mint’s collecting audience also supports the case that they should be on public display for all to enjoy. We have experienced first hand the excitement generated when the 1899 Half Sovereign was publicly displayed at the Australasian Numismatic Dealers Association (ANDA) Perth Money Expo in 2017.

Widespread media attention attracted huge crowds, the overwhelming sentiment that collectors feel privileged when given the opportunity of seeing coins that are regarded as national treasures.

The history encapsulated within these four coins confirms their significance to the Perth Mint's coining heritage and supports a case for their protection and conservation.

As the Mint already holds in its archives the first Record Coin struck at the Perth Mint, a permanent display of the five coins would be momentous.

Photographs of obverse and reverse and background information on each coin are detailed below.

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1899 Half Sovereign, proof or specimen striking

Unique and Australia's rarest pre-decimal coin

Price $600,000

Struck as a coin of record in 1899, or soon afterwards, and authenticated by the Royal Mint London, this coin is the only known half sovereign struck using the 1899 dies.

The coin is presented as fully brilliant, FDC.

The dies for the 1899 Sovereign and Half Sovereign were prepared at the Royal Mint London, the 'P' for 'Perth' mintmark shown above the date.

While the Perth Mint issued 691,000 circulating sovereigns in the year of its opening, the Mint did not issue any circulating half sovereigns in 1899.

Ex S. V. Hagley collection circa 1945 • Spink Auctions (Australia) November 1985, lot 1046 • Spink Auctions (Australia) March 1989 in the liquidation of the R.G. & C. Pratley collection, lot 1558 • Sold privately in 1994 by Noble Numismatics • Most recent auction appearance Nobles Auction March 2003, lot 1381.

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1901 Sovereign, proof striking

One of two known, the other known example selling at Sincona Auction, Zurich, November 2021.

Price $250,000

The Perth Mint supplied the Melbourne Mint with two 1901 Proof Sovereigns on 11 October 1901. It is believed both examples made their way into the John G Murdoch Collection, selling at Sotheby Wilkinson & Hodge London, 1903.

This 1901 Proof Sovereign is a brilliant and frosted FDC. Ex Spink Auctions (Australia) November 1985, lot 1047 • Barrie Winsor sale by private treaty to Downies Collectables, February 2000.

The other known example was offered at Sincona Auction Zurich November 2021, lot 892.

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1901 Half Sovereign, proof striking

The only known example held by a private collector

Price $350,000

A great rarity, the Perth Mint's 1901 Proof Half Sovereign is the only representative example of a half sovereign struck in the final year of Queen Victoria’s reign. No circulating half sovereigns were issued at any of the Australian mints in 1901 due to the death of Queen Victoria in January of the same year.

The Perth Mint supplied the Melbourne Mint with four 1901 Proof Half Sovereigns on 11 October 1901. The Melbourne Mint retained two coins, the other two are believed to have made their way into the John G Murdoch Collection sold Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge 1903.

This 1901 Proof Half Sovereign is a brilliant and frosted FDC. Ex John G Murdoch, Reginald Huth, S. A. H Whetmore, Spink Auctions (Australia) November 1985, lot 1048 • Barrie Winsor sale by private treaty to Downies Collectables, February 2000.

The other 1901 Proof Half Sovereign offered in 1903 by auctioneers Sotheby Wilkinson & Hodge is believed housed in the British Museum by way of the Clarke-Thornhill bequest of 1935.

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1931 Sovereign, proof striking

One of two known, the other example impaired through mishandling

Price $225,000

The last proof sovereign struck for Australia. A brilliant matte proof and excessively rare.

There have been no known sightings of a Perth Mint 1931 Proof Sovereign at an Australian or international public auction.

This 1931 Proof Sovereign is a superb FDC. Ex Barrie Winsor sale by private treaty to Coinworks, February 2013.

Testimonial from Ken Downie, Director Downie's Collectables

A respect for history and coining traditions were two of the founding principles laid down by my father, Phil Downie, when he established Downies in 1932.

And that, when I took over in 1977, have continued.

The opportunity therefore to reunite a full set of Record Coins and return them to the mint where they were created is an event of national importance and one that is very exciting.

This endeavour is about preserving the Perth Mint's heritage for future generations of coin collectors and historians.

By ensuring that these coins remain in their birthplace, we are creating an invaluable experience that will inspire and educate collectors for years to come. And importantly, will inspire the collectors of the future.

I congratulate Coinworks on their efforts.

Testimonial from Alan Bishop AM, Executive Chairman EBM

I’ve recently become aware of the initiative by Belinda Downie of Coinworks proposing what I’d imagine to be the rarest of opportunities to unite and establish a one of a kind collection of Coins of Record at the Perth Mint.

The mint seems the most logical home for such a unique collection and I would imagine a perfect display opportunity that would highlight the traditions of the Perth Mint in producing precious coining masterpieces.

As an avid collector of rare and valuable coins, and having enjoyed a long relationship with Coinworks in expanding my own collection, I’m amazed that a complete set of Gold Sovereign and Half Sovereign Coins of Record has been assembled, as the coins are individually exceptionally rare.

The historical importance attached to this collection is not lost on me.

Far be it for me to provide advice to the Perth Mint in undertaking deliberations about what is probably a once in a lifetime opportunity to take ownership of this incredible collection.

However, as a collector of Perth Mint Sovereigns I truly believe it would be quite incredible for the Perth Mint to restore its heritage values around this collection with a view not just to ownership, but the ability to feature and display such a unique collection amongst many of its already handsomely displayed items.

Personally, I could think of nothing more fitting than having the Perth Mint restoring its ownership of this rarest of rare Coins of Record Gold Sovereigns and Half Sovereigns.

03 9642 3133

PERTH MINT COINS OF RECORD