Australia's gold proof coins are highly respected. 

Australia has some of the rarest and most beautiful coins you could imagine, particularly in the proof gold sovereign and proof half sovereign sector. The coins are prestigious. They inspire respect and admiration.

Ask collectors why they pursue proof coins over circulating currency and the prestige of owning a proof coin is most likely at the top of their list. It's the euphoria that comes with owning something that very few other people can ever possess.

Proof coins are by definition, extremely rare and their scarcity is a natural draw card. In some respect, proof coin collectors are playing it smart because the inherent rarity of proof coinage provides a level of assurance that the market will never be inundated with examples, protecting their investment.

Local buyers have always had confidence in this sector of the market simply because of the quality and extreme rarity of the coins.

But another layer of confidence has been added to the Australian rare coin market.

In 2021, international collectors began buying up Australia’s proof sovereigns and half sovereigns outbidding local collectors.

The buying spree continued in 2022 and again, quite recently in Zurich, where a Young Head Proof Sovereign sold at auction knocking out Australian bidders.

Demand has increased. And supplies are still as restricted as ever. This is the perfect climate for price growth.

Proof 1899 Sovereign - reverse

This glorious turn-of-the-century Proof 1899 Sovereign was struck at the Melbourne Mint as a presentation piece. The coin made its first public appearance in 1903 when it was sold by Sotheby's London as part of the famous John G. Murdoch Collection.

Proof 1899 Sovereign - obverse

Over the last century only one other Proof 1899 Sovereign has been sighted. The coin's extreme rarity is typical of this sector of the market and the very reason why they are so popular with collectors. And investors. Their scarcity simply gives people the reason to buy.

Proof 1899 Half Sovereign - reverse

This glorious turn-of-the-century Proof 1899 Half Sovereign was struck at the Melbourne Mint as a presentation piece. The coin made its first public appearance in 1903 when it was sold by Sotheby's London as part of the famous John G. Murdoch Collection.

Proof 1899 Half Sovereign - obverse

As with the sovereign, only one other Proof 1899 Half Sovereign has been sighted over the last century. The coin's extreme rarity is typical of this sector of the market and the very reason why they are so popular with collectors. And investors. Their scarcity simply gives people the reason to buy.