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The Kookaburra Pennies were struck in 1919, 1920 and 1921. If you are fortunate enough to be offered all three dates, then you should pounce on the coin dated 1920, simply because of its extreme rarity. That scarcity has underpinned considerable capital growth. This 1920 Kookaburra Square Penny has what we call the Type 7 design. In the early 70s, you could pick up a Type 7 for less than $1000. By the 80s prices had moved to $5000 and doubled to $10,000 by the 90s. In 2000 we note we sold a Type 7 Kookaburra Penny for $20,000. Today more than twenty years later, this 1920 Kookaburra Square Penny is offered at $65,000. That is a consistent and enviable growth path for one of Australia's leading coin rarities.

This Proof 1924 Sixpence was struck as a Coin of Record at the Melbourne Mint during the tenure of Mr A M Le Souef as the mint’s Deputy Master. It is a superb Gem FDC. The Melbourne Mint reached its pinnacle during Le Souef’s term, particularly in the striking of its silver proofs, perhaps a reflection of his personal passion for silver coinage. This Proof 1924 Sixpence was not struck for collectors as part of any mass-marketing sales campaign. It was struck for the mint's archives and the privileged few. Because it was a specially arranged striking of presentation pieces, only a handful were struck. The original silver blanks were hand selected and polished to achieve a dazzling mirror shine. Furthermore, the coin has strong striations in the fields indicating that the dies were heavily brushed and well prepared to achieve a brilliant strike. This Proof 1924 Sixpence is well preserved and has obviously been cherished in the intervening years. We note that it was formerly held in 'The Madrid Collection of Australian Rare Coins'.

We have handled some spectacular copper proofs in our time, but this coin is quite possibly the absolute finest of them all. The reverse of this Proof 1921 Penny is simply sensational with full copper brilliance, crisp and uniformly spaced denticles, the rims highly polished. And that's not to decry the obverse for it also has full mint red. It is easy to overlook the fact that this coin was struck one hundred years ago to the year. It is a miraculous proof striking. The coin appeared at auction in August 1999. Described as brilliant with full original mint red, it sold for $11,800, the pre-auction estimate was $6000. While the quality was exceptional, it was the rarity that drove the price for up until August 1999, a Proof 1921 Penny had never been sighted. And to this day it is the only Proof 1921 Penny known in private hands.

The 1922/21 overdate threepence is one of the few Australian coins to have gained an ‘iconic’ status. The 1930 Penny is one other. The secret to their gaining that iconic status is that each coin has a story to tell that firmly imprints them into numismatic history. Respected numismatist and author, Greg McDonald, declares the 1922/21 overdate threepence as “one of the true rarities of the Australian series.” He confirmed this particular overdate example is the finest. Paul Hannaford, Director of IAG Auctions, declared this coin as “the most exciting coin I have seen for a while” and also confirmed it as the finest. That this coin has generated such a euphoric response from industry leaders reflects its iconic status as Australia's rarest circulation coin. And its supreme quality and standing as the best! Technical shots are provided including a snapshot of the band showing eight pearls.

The Sir Marcus Clark 1860 Aborigine Threepence is unequivocally an Australian Numismatic Treasure. It became an overnight sensation when the piece first publicly appeared at James Lawson’s Auctions in 1954, the property of Sir Marcus Clarke KBE. The earliest numismatic depiction of an Aboriginal Australian and offered in a superb mint-state, the piece sold for the massive price of £38. For the 50-plus years that I have been involved in the industry, it has always been known as “The Sir Marcus Clark Aborigine Threepence”. It is an industry icon and of the seven other known examples, this piece is the absolute finest of them all.

There are some coins that stay firmly fixed in your memory. Coins that are exciting for the extraordinary quality traits they possess. And this 1930 Penny is one of them, last sighted by us in 2003 when we sold it to a Shepparton collector. Yes, the coin has circulated which reflects our obverse grading of About Very Fine. BUT the years of usage have treated it very, very kindly. It is an original, intact, well struck 1930 Penny with glossy fields and minimal signs of usage. If there is one thing that the past eighteen years has taught us is that you do not see 1930 Pennies like this every day. Or every month. Or every year for that matter!

The Perth Mint has struck many of Australia's greatest coin rarities including this fabulous 1918 Half Sovereign. The coin is offered in the premium grade of Choice Uncirculated and it is the addition of the word ‘CHOICE’ that makes this coin the absolute exception, a step up from Uncirculated and poles apart from those 1918 Half Sovereigns most frequently sighted. The coin has lustrous obverse fields and majestic satin reverse fields. The strike is strong, the design highly detailed. We remark on the strength in the rider’s leg …. an inherent area of weakness in most 1918 Half Sovereigns. We also remark that this is only the fourth Choice Uncirculated 1918 Half Sovereign we have sold. This is a great coin offered at a great price of $18,000.

The Perth Mint has struck many of Australia's greatest pre-decimal coin rarities, including this 1918 Half Sovereign. It is an important coin on many fronts. Australia struck its last half sovereign in 1918, making it a highly historical date. The end of an era. And it is extremely rare. Respected numismatic author, Greg McDonald, contends that only 200 to 300 pieces are available to collectors. Important. Extremely rare. And available at $12,500. Excellent buying.

There was an explosion in real estate prices in Melbourne in 1889. And land speculation on a grand scale. Melbourne was booming. So too were the coining presses at the Melbourne Mint, records indicating that the mint churned out 2.7 million sovereigns. To create a permanent and everlasting record of its achievements, the Melbourne Mint struck the Proof 1889 Sovereign as a Coin of Record. True to form, only two examples have been sighted over the past sixty years, this coin last publicly offered in March 1988 at the now famous Bicentennial Spink Auction. Noted as being brilliant and flawless, the coin sold for $9000 on a pre-auction estimate of $6000. Only one other example has surfaced over the last century and that was in March 1985, a pattern of long-term holding so typical of this area of the market.

A 'Diamond and Pearl' 1930 Penny is for the buyer that is seeking one of the best examples of the nation's favourite copper coin. The obverse is impressive and shows a full central diamond and the smudging of the seventh and eighth pearls and its their presence that places this 1930 Penny in the 'extremely rare' category. The reverse is equally impressive with well-defined inner beading, crisp upper and lower scrolls and a strong '1930' date. On both obverse and reverse, the toning is even and handsome. The fields show minimal signs of circulation and are smooth. We rank this coin in the top five per cent with the comment that a 1930 Penny of this calibre might be offered once every two to three years. Already have a 1930 Penny? Then consider trading it back as part-payment on this stunning coin. Technical photos of both obverse and reverse are provided below and confirm our assessment of the coin.

Following the closure of the Sydney Mint in 1926, the responsibility for striking Australia's circulating currency fell on the Melbourne Mint. In 1928 the Melbourne Mint was at full capacity striking every denomination of Australia’s coinage, the copper penny and halfpenny and the four silver coins of the florin, shilling, sixpence and threepence. If you include the sovereigns that were struck in 1928, the Melbourne Mint churned out more than 16 million coins! To create an everlasting record of their minting achievements, the Melbourne struck each denomination as a Coin of Record, the coins struck to proof quality. This coin is one such COIN OF RECORD and is a PROOF 1928 FLORIN. Three are known, this example noted as selling at Nobles Auction in 2001 for $23,000 on a pre-auction estimate of $19,500. The coin was eventually sold to the Madrid Collection of Australian Rare Coins where it has remained ever since.

This Proof Half Sovereign was struck at the Melbourne Mint in 1893 and is exceedingly rare. Only two other examples have surfaced over the last century. At its first and only auction appearance in 2005, the coin sold for $56,000 on a pre-auction estimate of $30,000. Testimony to the scarcity of coins in this sector of the market, another proof half sovereign of this date and design has not surfaced since.

We first sighted this spectacular Proof 1952 Halfpenny in 2009. The coin was part of a large collection of rarities that had been put together in the 1980s by a leading Melbourne proof coin collector. His collection was consistently brilliant for he was driven by quality and had a keen eye for detail. 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. This coin follows the rule that great collectors only ever own great coins.

This 1813 Dump comes with impeccable credentials. The coin set a new world record in 2004 when it was offered at Stacks Auction, New York. The coin was at the time the personal property of influential American dealer, John J. Ford. What makes a coin a record-breaker? The answer is simple. When the design has been so well executed during the minting process that the coin is the exception rather than the rule. And when its state of preservation verges on the miraculous. John J Ford's 1813 Dump has quality traits that are unique to this coin. The strike is exceptionally strong. And its state of preservation is miraculous.

This 1930 Penny is very impressive. It is a classy coin. The edges are complete and the important design details such as the upper and lower scrolls, the inner beading that circles the value of ‘ONE PENNY’, the legend and the date ‘1930’ are all prominent. And the toning is a consistent and handsome chestnut brown. Take up a magnifying glass and you notice that the fields on both obverse and reverse show minimal signs of circulation. And while the quality should be enough to gain buyer attention, the gifting of Australia's rarest halfpenny, the 1923 Halfpenny, makes this 1930 Penny irresistible buying. Technical shots are provided below.

A coin can be rare because so few examples were struck. A coin can also be rare because it has quality traits that make it the absolute exception to the norm, placing it into an elite and very small group of examples. This Proof 1953 Penny is rare on both counts! The original mintage is believed to be twenty with most of the examples going to public institutions and therefore out of reach of collectors. And the quality is spectacular. So that you can appreciate the rarity of a coin at this dazzling quality level, we make the comment that we have sold only one other Proof 1953 Penny that we would describe as spectacular. And that was nine years ago to a Melbourne collector.

This 1813 Dump is a very rare example of the nation’s first fifteen pence. Struck from a die combination that historians refer to as obverse die ‘E’ and reverse die ‘3’, less than twenty examples are known. Historians suggest that due to the crude nature of the E/3 Dumps, they may have been trials presented to Governor Lachlan Macquarie before production officially commenced. We note the traces of the original Spanish Dollar design (undertype) on the reverse. This is the only E/3 example that we have seen or handled to show the undertype.

The 1930 Penny that is in this collection is a star in its own right. The coin is very impressive. The edges are complete and the important design details such as the upper and lower scrolls, the inner beading that circles the value of ‘ONE PENNY’, the legend and the date ‘1930’ are all prominent. And the toning is a consistent and a handsome chestnut brown. Take up a magnifying glass and you notice that the fields on both obverse and reverse show minimal signs of circulation. And while the quality of this 1930 Penny should be enough to gain buyer attention, its inclusion in a complete collection of Australian pennies (1911 to 1964) makes this offer irresistible buying. Technical shots are provided below.

The collecting pursuits of legendary numismatist and author Philip Spalding extended well beyond the nation's colonial coins. Spalding was a long-term owner of Australia's proof coinage: a collection that included this spectacular Melbourne Mint, Proof 1924 Penny. He appreciated the magnificence of proof coins. And with full copper brilliance on the reverse and stunning purple / blue colours on the obverse this Proof 1924 Penny is indeed a magnificent proof. Spalding also relished the exclusivity of Australia's proof coins. And with only three other known examples, this Proof 1924 Penny had the exclusivity that Spalding was seeking. And Philip Spalding's Proof 1924 Penny is available now.

This 1813 Dump is an inordinately rare example of the nation’s first fifteen pence. Struck from a die combination that historians refer to as obverse die ‘C’ and reverse die ‘4’, eight examples are known. Historians suggest that due to the crude nature of the C/4 Dumps, they may have been trials presented to Governor Lachlan Macquarie before production officially commenced. Over and above the rarity of the C/4 Dumps, the quality of this coin is superior. It is one of the finest of the C/4s.

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.

This 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. Over the last century only one other example 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. And this glorious turn-of-the-century Proof 1899 Sovereign is available now.

Nine times out of ten, when people approach us about selling their collection of pennies, the holding is missing the elusive 1930 Penny. That was not the case with this collector. A retired pharmacist, his interest in numismatics commenced in his late teens when he began working in his father’s chemist shop. When the time came to take over the family business, he had the financial capacity to fill the last hole in his collection and acquire the very valuable and iconic 1930 Penny. This offer is comprised of a complete collection of Australian pennies 1911 to 1964 housed in a Dansco Album (78 coins).

A coin can be rare because, so few were struck. For today's collectors, this Proof 1952 Penny is extremely rare. The original mintage is believed to be fifteen with most of the examples going to public institutions and so out of reach of collectors. But a coin can also be rare because its quality makes it the exception to the norm effectively putting it into a class all on its own. This Proof 1952 Penny is rare on both counts! Its mintage was tiny and it is one of the very best Perth Mint Proof coppers out of this era. Remember the Proof 1947 Penny we sold a few months ago. A superb FDC, it came out of Nobles March 1996 Auction, the same auction as this Proof 1952 Penny. And it has been held in the one collection ever since.

The Kookaburra Square Penny was planned as a new Australian coinage, a new shape, a new design and the new metal of cupro-nickel. The coins that were produced as part of this test phase were handed to dignitaries and politicians to assess their reaction. But, this particular Square Penny was never going to be passed around or handed over. It was especially struck as a collector’s item in STERLING SILVER for the personal collection of Mr. Albert Malet Le Souef, Deputy Master of the Melbourne Mint. It is unique. This coin is a numismatic prize, a trophy piece. A Square Penny depicting the Type 4 design, struck in Sterling Silver.

Ray Jewell was a foremost Australian collector and a highly respected professional, his involvement in the industry spanning more than three decades. He set the bar very high when it came to collecting proofs. A coin that was owned by Ray Jewell had to be rare and had to be top quality, traits that were duly acknowledged by the broader collector market whenever his coins came up at public auction. This Proof 1928 Shilling was a crowd-pleaser and a record breaker all along the way, selling in July 1993 for $11,000 on an estimate of $4000. And in the year 2000 selling for $22,540 on a pre-auction estimate of $15,000. In 2003, this numismatic gem was sold to the owner of the Madrid Collection of Australian Rare Coins where it has remained ever since.

There is an expectation that Coinworks will always be able to provide a high-quality rare coin 'at the drop of a hat' ... that we will always have access to top quality material. While it is true for most of Australia's classic coin rarities, in the case of the nation's first half sovereign - the 1855 Sydney Mint Half Sovereign - that is a formidable, almost impossible ask. There are perhaps forty examples of the 1855 Sydney Mint Half Sovereign available to collectors which is in itself a tiny number. And of those, we deem that only three coins are problem-free and have great eye appeal and, interestingly, they have all come from noted collections. This coin is one of the three, ranked as number two in the pecking order. This is a momentous offering.

Albert Le Souef was Deputy Master of the Melbourne Mint when this Proof 1924 Halfpenny was struck. His passion for numismatics - and his commitment to quality - is somehow entrenched in the proofs out of this era. Visually this Proof 1924 Halfpenny is a stunner. We have not handled finer. The coin glows like 'molten copper', with full brilliance on the obverse and the same molten glow on the reverse. The design definition is sharp, the fields ice-smooth and highly reflective. This is proof coining at its very best. What makes a great coin even greater is that it is extremely rare. And comes with a revered provenance. This Proof 1924 Halfpenny is one of only four known and has been previously owned by the legendary Philip Spalding.

Every couple of years we come across a 1930 Penny that is a genuine bargain. It doesn't happen very often, but when it does happen, we grab it with both hands knowing that Australia’s classic coin rarity is wanted at all dollar levels. And all quality levels. This 1930 Penny has one side of the central diamond and six pearls on the obverse. The reverse has strong upper and lower scrolls and complete inner beading. This is an impressive 1930 Penny offered at an even more impressive price of $23,500. Technical shots are shown below.

This 1945 Penny was held in the Museum of Victoria Collection until 2009. The coin is Australia's rarest penny. By a mile. Now let's be clear. And don't get excited if you happen to have a 1945 Penny in your bottom drawer! More than ten million pennies were struck in 1945 at the Perth Mint making it one of Australia's most readily available pennies, a dot after the 'Y' in 'PENNY' identifying that it was struck at Perth. The Melbourne Mint, on the other hand, struck only four pennies in 1945 - minus the dot. The four prized coins were retained by the mint for posterity. And this example is one of the four. In a market that values rarity - and quality - above all else, this coin takes the prize for it is the nation's rarest penny. A superb FDC, a full brilliant red on both obverse and reverse, this magnificent piece of Australian numismatic history is available now.

There are two aspects to this 1918 Perth Mint Half Sovereign that must be noted. The first is that the coin is presented as Choice Uncirculated. The addition of the word ‘CHOICE’ takes the quality to a level that is the absolute exception and very rarely seen. A step up from Uncirculated, the coin has satin fields and a strong strike. We remark on the strength in the rider’s leg …. an inherent area of weakness in most 1918s. The second aspect that must be noted is that the 1918 Perth Mint Half Sovereign is rare. Respected numismatic author, Greg McDonald, contends that only 200 to 300 pieces are available to collectors. This is a world class coin rarity presented in the supreme quality of Choice Uncirculated and, for the record, this coin is only the third example - in Choice Uncirculated - that we have ever handled. Also for the record, this 1918 Half Sovereign has an obverse vertical die crack that runs from the head of George V to the moustache, adding further to its appeal. (Technical shots are provided below.)

The Perth Mint has struck many of Australia's greatest pre-decimal coin rarities, including this 1918 Half Sovereign. It is an important coin on many fronts. That Australia struck its last half sovereign in 1918 makes it a highly historical date. The coin signals the end of an era. And it is extremely rare. Respected numismatic author, Greg McDonald, contends that only 200 to 300 pieces are available to collectors. In summary, the 1918 Perth Mint Half Sovereign is an historically important coin. It is extremely rare. And is available at $12,500. Which all adds up to excellent buying. (Technical shots are provided.)

The very first issue of the Cerutty Collins Fifty Pounds occurred in 1920 - a century ago - the notes featuring a 'Y' prefix with serial numbers in the range 083846 to 176000. Which means that this fifty quid, with serial number Y110704, came from the first issue of the Cerutty Collins Fifty Pounds. FIRST ISSUE. Two words that are music to a banknote collector’s ears. Now add another two words that are particularly special to collectors. EXTREMELY RARE for only three other examples out of the first issue of the Cerutty Collins Fifty Pounds exist. A validation of the respect held for this note, it is photographed in Mick Vort Ronald’s reference book, Australian Banknote Pedigrees, Second Edition, page 396.

This Proof 1901/1951 Florin was struck as a presentation piece at the Royal Mint London as the prototype of Australia’s newly designed Federation florin. Extremely rare, three are held by private collectors and this coin is one of the three. A fourth is held in the Museum of Victoria, acquired by the museum in 1986, the salient point here being that it was bought by (and not gifted to) the museum. There is one thing we know for sure about Australian museums and public institutions and their coin acquisitions. They hardly ever go out into a collector environment and buy inventory unless the piece is integral to Australia’s national story. And the Proof 1901/1951 Federation Florin was integral to the museum's story and integral to our national story.

You are in no doubt when you view this 1927 Florin that it is indeed a PROOF 1927 Canberra Florin. The silver fields are like mirrors. They sparkle reflecting the light and are the perfect backdrop to the regal design of Parliament House on the reverse and King George V on the obverse. There is magnificent pale peach toning on the periphery of the obverse. And a hint of same on the reverse. This is a superb proof striking from the Melbourne Mint celebrating the opening of Parliament House in Canberra.

There are some coins that, as dealers, you never forget. The state in which they are presented is so impactful, they make a lasting impression. Nor can you ever forget the occasion when they were first sighted. And so it is with this Proof 1947 Penny. The quality is absolutely stunning, highly reflective violet-red fields, the coin simply glows. The occasion was Nobles Sydney Auction March 1996 when we sat in the auction room fighting off a trove of room and postal bidders to secure this prized gem. The photographs confirm its extraordinary condition. And we can confirm its rarity. We have only ever handled three Proof 1947 Pennies, this coin the finest by far.

Mr A. M. Le Souef was Deputy Master of the Melbourne Mint when this Proof 1924 Shilling was struck ... and doesn't it show. The coin was not struck for collectors as part of any mass-marketing sales campaign. It was struck for the mint's archives and the privileged few and Le Souef would have been the impetus behind the strike. Because it was a specially arranged striking of proof quality presentation pieces, only a handful were struck. The original silver blanks were hand selected and polished to achieve a dazzling mirror shine. Furthermore, the coin has strong striations in the fields indicating that the dies were heavily brushed and well prepared. Strong striations in the fields equate to a brilliant strike and this is indeed the case with this coin. Over and above its brilliant strike, this coin is well preserved and has obviously been cherished in the intervening years. We note that it bears the name Philip Spalding as one of its former owners.

This coin is for the buyer that is seeking a supreme quality 1930 Penny. On the obverse, the coin has a full central diamond and strong evidence of the rarely seen seventh and eighth pearls. The reverse is equally impressive with well-defined inner beading, crisp upper and lower scrolls and a strong '1930' date. On both obverse and reverse, the toning is even and handsome. The fields show minimal signs of circulation and are smooth. We would place this coin in the top five per cent of surviving examples. Now, it is a fact that the most frequently sighted 1930 Penny is a well circulated Fine. This coin, at Good Very Fine, is at least five grades higher. A 1930 Penny at this quality level would be offered on the market, perhaps once every few years. And this great coin rarity is available now. Already have a 1930 Penny? Then consider trading it back as part-payment on this stunning coin. Technical photos of both obverse and reverse are provided below.

The buyer of this 1813 Dump will take pride in knowing that the coin was formerly held as part of the legendary Osborne Collection. The buyer will also take pride in knowing that this Dump was exhibited in 2019, at the Royal Australian Mint Canberra, in the 'All That Is Holey' Exhibition. The coin was a natural contender for inclusion in the exhibition. It was struck from the very rare D/2 dies. And with a quality grading of Nearly Extremely Fine, rests in the top three per cent of D/2 examples. It is clearly one of the best. But it was the strong evidence of the original Spanish Dollar design, that was the clincher for its inclusion in the Exhibition. It is acknowledged that Australia's first Mint Master, William Henshall, applied heat during the coining process to obliterate the original Spanish Dollar design from the Dump. He majorly slipped up with this coin for there is extensive evidence of the design elements of the original Spanish Dollar, the lion and the castle and the cross bars of the shield. Traces of the Spanish Dollar design are rarely seen and highly prized. This 1813 Dump is an acknowledged industry showpiece and is available now.

This 1930 Penny is very impressive. It is a classy coin. The edges are complete and the important design details such as the upper and lower scrolls, the inner beading that circles the value of ‘ONE PENNY’, the legend and the date ‘1930’ are all prominent. And the toning is a consistent and handsome chestnut brown. Take up a magnifying glass and you notice that the fields on both obverse and reverse show minimal signs of circulation. And while the quality should be enough to gain buyer attention, the gifting of a Choice Uncirculated Melbourne Mint 1930 Sovereign makes this 1930 Penny irresistible buying. Technical shots are provided below.