Recent Sales

When this 1959 Melbourne Mint Proof Set came across the counter our eyes lit up. It is unequivocally one of the finest we have seen. The 1959 Melbourne Mint Proof Set is notoriously difficult to acquire in top quality mainly due to the state of the copper penny and halfpenny. The coins tone. And while toning is quite obviously acceptable in the numismatic industry, for whatever reason the 1959 Proof Penny and the 1959 Proof Halfpenny tend to tone to a different degree and look mismatched. It is the state of the copper proofs within the 1959 Proof Set that leads us to say that, if you are a collector that is driven by quality, the 1959 Melbourne Mint Proof Set is the most difficult to acquire out of the entire series. As the photograph shows, the four silver coins are stunning, the two coppers superbly matched with original copper brilliance under a very light smoky toning.

Original Uncirculated quality. "Music" to a banknote collector's ears. Particularly when you are referring to a note that was issued at the commencement of World War II. Over and above its brilliant state, this 1939 Sheehan McFarlane Five Pounds is historically significant as the first Five Pounds of the George VI era. It is extremely rare and very affordable and is a far-sighted piece to tuck away for the future either for yourself, for your children or your grandchildren.

This 1930 Penny has a full central diamond and six plump pearls and it is these two aspects, the diamond and the pearls, that classifies this coin as one of the very best, in the top ten per cent. This coin will appeal to the buyer that has always wanted a 1930 Penny and has been looking for a top-grade example. It will also appeal to the investor for high quality 1930 Pennies, such as this coin, are extremely rare. We estimate that we would handle one, or at the very tops two, Very Fine 1930 Pennies annually. And price watchers will note that this 1930 Penny has been favourably priced.

This coin is a prized piece. It ticks all the boxes. Quality. Rarity. Pedigree. And historical standing. The 1852 Cracked Die Adelaide Pound has an exalted position in Australia’s currency history as the nation’s first gold coin. Furthermore it was minted in the very first production run of Adelaide Pounds. What we know today is that forty Cracked Die Adelaide Pounds are in collector’s hands and most of them have circulated with more than fifty per cent heavily circulated. The reality is that of the forty known Cracked Dies, only two are Uncirculated and this coin is one of the two, formerly owned by renowned gold coin collector, American Mortimer Hammel.

This 1930 Penny is the classic example of a coin that has circulated but has miraculously survived its time in circulation unscathed. We regard it as one of the nicest 1930 Pennies that we have sold. A glance at the photos, both mood and technical, shows it to be so. With this coin you can tick the box for QUALITY. The coin has survived its time in circulation with minimal affect. You can also tick the box on PRICE for at $29,500 this 1930 Penny is advantageously priced. (In our view it is a $30,000-plus coin.) But there is a third box relating to this coin that must be ticked. And that's the box titled VALUE FOR MONEY for over the next three weeks we are giving away a Choice Uncirculated 1930 Melbourne Mint Sovereign with every 1930 Penny sold. A great 1930 Penny has now become even greater with our bonus offer.

This coin, the 1921 Square Penny, is the most popular coin in the entire kookaburra square coin series. It has the exclusivity that rare coin buyers are seeking. One high quality Square Penny of this style would appear on the market perhaps once every year ... rare in anyone's language. And importantly, for buyers, this Square Penny is affordable.

The 1852 Adelaide Pound holds a very special place in Australia's history as the nation's first gold coin. It is an iconic Australian numismatic rarity, as is the 1930 Penny, the 1813 Holey Dollar and the 1813 Dump. Its status as Australia’s first gold coin ensures that it will always be sought after and strengthens its investment value. Its investment value is also enhanced by its rarity for we estimate that perhaps 250 examples are available to collectors, across all quality levels. The Adelaide Pound is a valuable coin so finding an example that doesn’t break the bank can be challenging which is why we are so excited by this coin. The coin has fared extremely well during its time in circulation, is well presented and is offered in a very popular price range.

Bidders acknowledged the exceptional state of this coin when it came up for auction in 1996. Brilliantly preserved and described as a violet red proof, the coin sold for $6600 on an estimate of $3000. A quick glance at the photographs confirms its extraordinary condition. This is Perth Mint proof coining at its best, of the year 1947 and any year for that matter. Testimony to its rarity, we have only ever handled three Proof 1947 Pennies, this coin the finest by far.

A proof penny with original copper brilliance. And three glorious silver proofs, the shilling, sixpence and threepence. The four coins together make up a complete 1955 Melbourne Mint Proof Set. This Set is as IMPORTANT as it is RARE. Rare because only 1200 sets were issued. (This being one of the finest around.) Important because '1955' was the very first year that the Melbourne Mint commenced a proof coining program for collectors. And this 1955 Proof Set kick-started the series. (This 1955 Melbourne Mint Proof Set has attracted our BONUS OFFER of a free 1963 Melbourne Mint Proof Set. See below in the Read More section.)

We love this coin. And in fact, we were the under bidder when it was offered at a Sydney Auction several years ago, outgunned by a very determined and experienced Victorian collector. (The same vendor also owned the third finest known 1930 Penny that we sold last year for $150,000 so he has a great eye for quality.) The collector has been passionate about coins since he was a child. Now approaching retirement, he has consigned this prized gem to Coinworks for private sale. Our view on the coin today is exactly the same as it was a few years ago when we entered the auction room. It's just a really impressive 1930 Penny made even more impressive by our bonus offer of a Choice Uncirculated 1930 Melbourne Mint Sovereign.

The greatness and the historical significance of Australia’s proof coinage is exemplified in the Proof 1930 Penny. And this coin, the Proof 1921 Star Shilling. Both coins are numismatic greats and capture grand moments in time. And both coins are rare. Three examples of the Proof 1930 Penny are privately held. And only ONE of the Proof 1921 Star Shilling. This coin.

In 2018, proof gold emerged as one of the most fiercely contested areas of the rare coin market. Prices paid at auction for proof sovereigns and proof half sovereigns surged by about 20 per cent, the consequence of infrequent availability and an expanding market thirsting for top quality rarities. Now while it is true that gold is Australia’s most popular collecting metal, the key to the growth in proof gold has been its inordinate scarcity. Buyers know that there is NEVER a chance that the market will be flooded with examples. The scarcity has simply given the market the confidence to buy. This 1896 Proof Half Sovereign is a case in point. The coin is one of three examples recorded over the last half century.

This Proof 1888 Sovereign is one of two examples recorded over the last half century. And for the record, the only Proof Jubilee Sovereign that we have ever sold. The coin is as luxurious as it is rare. And the date 1888 is simply the icing on the cake. It’s the bonus that makes one of Australia’s grand gold coin rarities, even grander. (Technical shots are provided in READ MORE.)

The 1949 Proof Halfpenny struck at the Perth Mint is inordinately scarce. In a career that spans nearly half a century, this coin is the SECOND only example that we have sold. We looked to research conducted by John Sharples for a possible explanation as to its extreme rarity. And we got it. Sharples was National Editor of the Journal of the Numismatic Association of Australia and Curator of Australia’s National Archive Collection and in 1995 published an article that examined the Perth Mint Proof Record Coins of 1940 to 1954. He examined the distribution of proofs by analysing the “out-book”, entries that correlated to the despatch of proof coins to local and overseas museums and institutions. Sharples could not find any evidence in the "out-book" of the distribution of the 1949 Proof Halfpenny. History now tells us that proofs were definitely struck. But perhaps the mintage was minuscule. The very reason why they are so rare in today’s marketplace. Technical shots are provided.

We estimate there are about 150 Square Pennies available to collectors, of varying dates and designs. At the same time there are about 12 Square Halfpennies. So, if you are a Square Penny collector and you want a Square Halfpenny, then consider that there could be at least TEN other buyers searching for that same prized halfpenny acquisition. It’s these odds that have made the Square Halfpenny one of Australia’s most elusive and sought-after coin rarities. In demand from collectors of the kookaburra coin series. And in demand from buyers with a pure investment focus.

With this 1930 Penny you can tick the box for QUALITY. The coin has survived its time in circulation with minimal affect. You can also tick the box on PRICE for at $24,500 this 1930 Penny is advantageously priced. But there is a third box relating to this coin that must also be ticked. And that's the box titled VALUE FOR MONEY for over the next three weeks we are giving away a Choice Uncirculated 1930 Melbourne Mint Sovereign with every 1930 Penny sold. A great 1930 Penny has now become even greater with our bonus offer.

A provenance can say a lot about a coin. And it speaks volumes about this superb Proof 1931 Penny for it was especially selected for the owner of the Madrid Collection of Australian Rare coins in 2001. A passionate collector of Australian proof coppers, his clear buying focus was for QUALITY and RARITY and he found both with this coin. Superb crisp design detail under handsome light smoky toning. Smooth fields. His quest for rarity was satisfied in the knowledge that only three Proof 1931 Pennies were known. There was one other attribute that inspired the owner of the Madrid Collection of Australian Rare Coins. He respected and appreciated the importance of 'key dates' and sought them out whenever the opportunity arose. And he was keenly aware that the year '1931' is an important date in the penny series.

The 1882 Half Sovereign struck at the Sydney Mint is one of the absolute key dates of the Young Head Series. And this coin at Gem Uncirculated is the finest known. That’s a powerful combination. The finest. Of the scarcest. Two attributes that make this coin an ideal choice for the pure investor or the collector that wants to relish in the pleasure of owning the very best. And note the provenance. The coin was acquired from Barrie Winsor who indicated that it came from Knightsbridge Coins, London, the same source that provided the example housed in the Quartermaster collection. Technical photos are provided in the READ MORE section.

This 1952 Proof Penny is one of the finest Perth Mint proofs you will ever see, of the date 1952 or any other date for that matter. The quality is exceptional. We first sighted the coin in 2013, part of a larger collection that had been put together in the 1980s by a Melbourne collector. His collection of proofs was consistently brilliant for he was driven by quality. While we are not at liberty to identify the owner, we can say that he was an expert on Australia’s proof coinage and the author of many articles on the same. That this coin was part of his prized collection comes as no surprise. Great collectors tend to only ever own great coins. Technical shots are provided in the READ MORE section.

The opportunity to acquire one of the finest - and one of the rarest - Holey Dollars comes to very few collectors. Struck from a Ferdinand VII Spanish Silver Dollar this Holey Dollar is one of the absolute rarest. Only TWELVE Ferdinand VII Holey Dollars are privately owned. And with coin and counter stamps at about Extremely Fine, this Holey Dollar is absolutely, one of the finest. The accolades continue with this coin. Philip Spalding rated this coin as “One of the Top Dollars” and featured it in his book "The World of the Holey Dollar". We rate it similarly. It is one of the very best.

There are Adelaide Pounds. And then there is the ELIASBERG Adelaide Pound, so named because it was formerly owned by one of the world's greatest 20th century collectors Louis E. Eliasberg. It is one of the absolute finest examples of Australia’s first gold coin and when viewed it simply glows. Its highly lustrous, brilliant state implies that the coin must have been put aside soon after minting and has had special care ever since its striking. The person who acquires this Adelaide Pound will take their place in history, permanently associating themselves with both the coin and the famous Eliasberg name. Technical shots shown in READ MORE.

Prices of Australian pre-decimal proofs rocketed in the year 2000 following the appearance of this 1920 Proof Penny at a Melbourne Auction. The only known example in private hands, the coin was the showpiece of a small collection of proof coppers that had been struck at the Melbourne Mint between 1920 and 1932. The coins had never been sighted before. The vendor indicated that he had bought the collection in the 1950s from renowned collector Roy Farman who had held them from the day they were struck. We attended the auction and the competition for acquisition was amazing, as strong as we have ever seen. The coins sold for prices that were almost double estimate and it is noted that pre-auction estimates reflected price guides at the time. And the reason for the heady prices?

This 1855 Sydney Mint Sovereign is presented in Extremely Fine, with minimal marks in the field and original lustre in the legend on both the obverse and reverse. Given the superior quality of this coin we ask the question. Which coin is the more difficult to acquire in this superior state? The 1855 Sydney Mint Sovereign or the 1852 Adelaide Pound? First gold sovereign or first gold pound? From an examination of auction records – and our own experience - the answer is very clearly, the 1855 Sydney Mint Sovereign. In fact, our first sovereign is four times harder to find than the Adelaide Pound. Technical shots are shown below and we have included a chart that shows the genuine scarcity of the 1855 Sovereign in the upper quality levels.

The 1930 Penny is legendary, and its star status has made it one of Australia's most valuable rare coins. Because the dollars involved in acquiring a 1930 Penny are considerable, we offer one very basic tip for buyers to assist them in their decision-making process. Select a 1930 Penny that is visually very attractive and has no obvious defects from its time in circulation. This simple point will really count when, further down the track, it comes time for you to sell your coin and realise on your investment. The 1930 Penny that we have for sale fits that profile in every respect and is as per the photographs above and at right. The coin has a technical obverse grading of Good Fine. The reverse is graded higher again at About Very Fine with strong upper and lower scrolls and well defined inner beading.

This Choice Uncirculated 1923 Halfpenny was acquired in 2008 by the owner of the Madrid Collection of Australian Rare Coins. It was, at the time, one of two elite 1923 Halfpennies that came to the market for private sale. The first coin was the unique Proof 1923 Halfpenny. The second coin was this example: a coin that was originally struck for circulation but had survived the production process and preserved in an almost proof-like state. Our client was not influenced by the dollars involved, he had the capacity to acquire both pieces. But he opted for the latter. He is one of many collectors that respect the magnitude of top quality ‘circulating’ coins over of the substance of proof coinage.

That great value is to be had in the banknote market is clearly evidenced in this George V Riddle Sheehan One Pound. Every box is ticked. The note introduced a new design, and that’s important to collectors. It offers quality that can’t be improved upon at Uncirculated. Issued in an era that is especially popular, George V. And available at a price that is very affordable.

Retired numismatic dealer, Ross Pratley, was passionate about Australia’s history and the role that currency plays in defining and recording our past. He indulged his passion through the acquisition of pre-federation banknotes, including this spectacular colonial rarity. And by accumulating one of the finest collections of Australian half sovereigns the nation has ever seen for as a dealer, he had access to the very best. This 1824 Bank of New South Wales Twenty Spanish Dollars was issued on 1 January 1824 and entered in the bank’s ledger as note number 31164. It was Pratley’s prized possession. A profoundly important piece of colonial history. Tangible evidence of the brief window in Australia’s past when the influence of the Spanish Silver Dollar was at its zenith and the finances of the penal colony of New South Wales were expressed in Spanish Silver Dollars. Our first decimal banknote as such. Made even more important by the note’s rarity. While two examples are held as museum pieces in Westpac Archives, this is the only example privately held. Collectors and investors alike will appreciate the value that this wonderful piece of Australiana presents when you consider that 200 Holey Dollars are available to collectors. And only one of this banknote.

The 1852 Adelaide Pound holds a very special in Australia's history as the nation's first gold coin. It was struck at the Government Office in Adelaide from 22 carat gold brought from the Victorian goldfields. Its status as our first gold coin ensures that it will always be sought after and underpins its investment value. Its investment value is also preserved by its rarity for the industry estimates that perhaps 250 examples are available to collectors, across all quality levels. The Adelaide Pound is a valuable coin so finding an example that doesn’t break the bank can be challenging which is why we are so excited by this coin. The coin has fared extremely well during its time in circulation, is well presented and is offered in a price range that is suitable to most collector's budgets.

A fascination with coins as a child, and a passion for colonial history as an adult, saw a Sydney resident pursue the Sydney Mint Sovereign series over a twenty year period. His focus was on quality, but in the case of rare date sovereigns (such as the 1855 and 1856) he held a number of examples. This superb 1856 Sydney Mint Sovereign is one such coin from his collection.

In 2018, proof gold has emerged as one of the most fiercely contested areas of the rare coin market. Over the last twelve months, prices paid at auction for proof sovereigns and proof half sovereigns have surged by about 20 per cent, the consequence of increased demand. Now while it is true that gold is Australia’s most popular collecting metal, the key to the growth in proof gold has been its inordinate scarcity. Buyers know that there is never a chance that the market will be flooded with examples. The scarcity has simply given the market the confidence to buy. This coin is a case in point. We are aware of two Proof 1930 Melbourne Mint Sovereigns. This coin, sold by private treaty in the 1990s through Monetarium Sydney and now in our hands. And one other example that appeared at public auction in 1988. But that’s as far as it goes for the year 1930. And proof sovereigns. The Sydney Mint was not producing coins having closed in 1926 and it is on record that the Perth Mint did not strike proofs in 1930, the year of the Great Depression.

The original intention of proof coining was to create a numismatic masterpiece that would represent an era in Australia's history and tell a story that was an indelible part of our nation's past. The Melbourne Mint created a numismatic masterpiece when it struck the 1927 Proof Canberra Florin. The Duke of York officially opened Parliament House in Canberra on 9 May 1927. To commemorate the occasion, the Government authorised the minting of the Canberra Florin featuring Parliament House on the reverse and George V on the obverse. The Melbourne Mint issued 400 limited edition collector coins struck to proof quality. This coin is a superb example from the original mintage.

Every collector that embraces the Australian sovereign series will at some point in time contemplate the purchase of an 1855 Sydney Mint Sovereign. That’s understandable given that it is the nation’s very first sovereign. Two matters will be foremost in a buyer’s mind. A budget. And the quality that those dollars will deliver. But there is another consideration for potential buyers of the 1855 Sydney Mint Sovereign and that’s availability. For while well circulated examples are reasonably readily available, coins such as this Good Extremely Fine ’55 sovereign are genuinely scarce. More than 18 months have elapsed since we last offered a ’55 sovereign at this quality level. This coin is rare. Technical shots have been included in the READ MORE section.

This is simply a great 1930 Penny. Market watchers will note the almost full central diamond and the six very plump pearls. Market watchers will also take on board the price. It is our OCTOBER SPECIAL, offering a price advantage of $7500 over our normal R.R.P. This coin offers genuine value and for that very reason we really don't believe it will sit on the shelf for long. The vendor has held the coin for many, many years but is now eager to facilitate a quick sale. So if you have been sitting back watching the market and waiting for the "right" 1930 Penny to come along ... then this is the coin for you. Technical shots have been included in the READ MORE SECTION. In a presentation befitting the coin, this 1930 Penny is presented in a handsome black presentation case, with accompanying photographs and Certificate of Authenticity.

The Melbourne and Perth Proofs struck from 1955 to 1963 come high on our list of recommendations to clients. For themselves. For children. Or a nice little nest-egg to tuck away for grandchildren. So, when Melbourne journalist Anthony Black asked Coinworks to list ten-coin rarities that were priced below $5000 and, that we believed, were destined for growth. The Melbourne and Perth Mint Proofs were at the very top of our list. The sets are visually attractive and very affordable, appealing to a wide buying audience. Each is a stand-alone rarity, so they can be acquired progressively one year at a time with no pressure on buyers to complete the series.

You hold history in your hand when you own a Holey Dollar. And you will create 'new' history by joining its former owners, the collectors for whom this coin was a prized possession. In the case of this Holey Dollar, its first recorded sale occurred in 1889 when it was purchased by E. Best, resident of Tasmania and subsequently passed to one of his relatives circa 1927. The impact of owning such a great historical piece is even more profound when you open the book, ‘The Holey Dollars of New South Wales’ by Messrs. Mira and Noble and find your coin photographed and officially recorded as one of the almost 300 surviving examples. A copy of the Catalogue accompanies the sale.

This Holey Dollar has the two words ‘POTOSI MINT’ in its description and those two words place it in a class all on its own. Holey Dollars that were created from silver dollars struck at the Potosi Mint in Bolivia are the RAREST of the rare. In 1988 Messrs. Mira and Noble catalogued and published a record of the known surviving Holey Dollars identifying those that were held by private collectors and those held in institutions. Only 15 privately owned coins had ties to the Potosi Mint. Next up for availability was the Lima Mint in Peru with 17 available; the Mexico Mint being the most frequently sighted with 143 recorded examples. We note that we have only ever handled four Potosi Mint Holey Dollars, and this coin is one of the four.

The 1852 Cracked Die Adelaide Pound is Australia’s very first gold coin and is an iconic Australian numismatic rarity. The Cracked Die is as famous as it is rare with less than 40 examples known. So celebrated and so rare that procuring a Cracked Die below $100,000 is nigh on a fluke, a chance occurrence. Once sold we sense that this coin will almost be impossible to replace.

The 1813 Dump, and its partner the 1813 Holey Dollar, were the first coins struck in Australia, the innovation of Governor Lachlan Macquarie. Not only are they rare, but their fascinating history has made them two of the world's most famous coins. They are as recognised, respected and sought after on the international stage as they are on our home shores. What is also recognised is that, in the highest quality levels, the Dump is the scarcer of the two. This 1813 Dump is for the buyer seeking the absolute finest example of Australia's first silver coin. It is ranked NUMBER ONE in the pecking order. The enormity of this offer becomes clear when you consider that there are quite likely 1000 Dumps in existence today, with 200 housed in public institutions and the balance available to collectors. This Dump is in every respect a 'miracle' coin.

We are celebrating the start of a new financial year with some sensational offers on Australia's classic copper rarity, the 1930 Penny. This 1930 Penny has undergone a little more circulation than the Very Fine example shown above, but clearly reflects our prime rule for buying a 1930 Penny. Acquire a coin that is visually very attractive. It also comes with our new financial year price bonus. Presented in a quality level of About Very Fine, this coin is available for the same price as one graded one notch down at Good Fine. THAT'S A $5000 PRICE ADVANTAGE. Family heirloom. Or an investment in history. This 1930 Penny is both. Technical shots have been included in the READ MORE section. In a presentation befitting the coin, this 1930 Penny is presented in a handsome black presentation case, with accompanying photographs and Certificate of Authenticity.

One million crowns were minted for circulation in 1937 which means that the circulation-strikes are today readily available. Their availability tends to cloud collectors perception of the scarcity of the 1937 PROOF CROWN. With only 100 struck, they are exceedingly difficult to procure, particularly in top quality. This 1937 Proof Crown was sold in 1995 to the owner of the Madrid Collection of Australian Rare Coins. And while the name of the Collection might suggest that the owner was a resident of Spain, in fact our client resides in Sydney. Over the past three decades he formed one of the foremost collections of our time, his collecting mission to acquire the very best and the rarest, including this 1937 Proof Crown. The coin is a superb example from the original mintage of 100 and one of the finest we have handled. That great collectors only ever hold great coins is clearly evidenced with this very impressive 1937 Proof Crown.