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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.

Governor Lachan Macquarie enlisted the services of convicted forger William Henshall to carry out the role of Australia's first mint master. Henshall manufactured the nation's first coins in 1813, a Fifteen Pence and a Five Shillings. We know them today as the Dump and the Holey Dollar. For the buyer that is keen to grab a piece of Australian history and acquire an 1813 Dump, we offer six reasons why this coin is worth owning. At About Very Fine this Dump is, quality-wise, well above average. The design is well centred, the legend and crown clear and legible. Importantly, the edge denticles are complete. The oblique milling (a deterrent for clipping) is fully evident. Henshall's mark of his initials 'H' is present. And the sixth reason to own this coin? That has got to be the price, for this 1813 Dump is offered at the very attractive price of $20,000.

History has judged British entrepreneur William Taylor a 'big noter'. He aspired to own and operate a private mint in Melbourne and create a new gold coinage for the colonies. The mint was called the Kangaroo Office and opened in 1854. Taylor ultimately embraced other metals and struck coins in silver and copper, aluminium and even pewter. Taylor’s coins were described in the Numismatic Chronicle of 1864 as “An interesting record of what the most prosperous colony England has ever founded intended as their national coinage." The coins issued by the Kangaroo Office are great colonial rarities and have been owned by leading international collectors, the U.K.'s Hyman Montague, Egypt's King Farouk and America's John Jay Pitman. And respected local collectors include Philip Spalding and Tom Hadley, of Quartermaster fame. We can certainly attest to their rarity having sold only two plain edged Silver Kangaroo Office Sixpences over the last twenty years.

This Ten Dollar Phillips Randall banknote has the prefix/serial number ZSF 16769*. Key points of this banknote are as follows. The six-pointed asterisk indicates that it is an especially printed Star replacement note. The prefix ZSF indicates that this note was printed in the very first print run of Phillips Randall Ten Dollar Star Notes and that makes this note particularly important. Brilliantly preserved, the note is offered in Uncirculated quality. FIRST PREFIX and UNCIRCULATED. Three words that are music to a banknote collector’s ears. Now, let us add another two words that are particularly special to collectors. EXTREMELY RARE for fewer than ten comparable quality first prefix Phillips Randall Ten Dollar ‘stars’ have come onto the market over the last twenty years.

This Proof 1932 Halfpenny was first publicly offered at auction in August 1999. Auctioned as lot 3183, the appearance of both the Proof 1932 Halfpenny and its higher denomination counterpart, the Proof 1932 Penny, instigated frenetic bidding, the halfpenny selling for nearly forty per cent above its pre-auction estimate. This coin has all the hallmarks of proof coining. Glossy square edges. Superb mirror-like fields on both obverse and reverse, the opaline colours emanating from the reverse are in particular simply glorious. Extremely rare, this coin is one of only two known examples of the Proof 1932 Halfpenny, this being the finer of the two.

If only this coin could talk. This Spanish Two Reales began its life in 1774 at the Lima Mint in Peru and features the portrait of the Spanish King Charles III. Somehow it ended up nearly 13,000 kilometers away in the penal colony of New South Wales and was formally counter stamped with the name of the mysterious 'T. Knight'. And it is the counter stamp that clearly identifies this piece as having circulated in the colony and confirms its status as a coin from the Proclamation era. Furthermore, this piece is unique.

This Proof 1928 Penny was first offered at Spink Auctions in 1981. And made a second appearance at Nobles Auction in 1991. On both occasions the coin sold, the prices realised far exceeding the pre-auction estimates. Looking at the coin in the flesh its easy to understand why. The extent of original copper brilliance is simply awesome. The surfaces are like a copper mirror. This is proof coining at its best. Moreover the coin is rare. Six examples of the Proof 1928 Penny are known, this being one of the finest of the six. This is a rare opportunity to acquire an important piece of Australia's minting history formerly owned by renowned Commonwealth coin collector, Richard Williams.

Mr A. M. Le Souef was Deputy Master of the Melbourne Mint when this Proof 1924 Florin 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.

The essential characteristics of proof coins are highly polished fields, fully reproduced designs free from any flaw, and square edges. This description provided by numismatist and author Greg McDonald may well have been written for this Proof 1929 Penny. Struck at the Melbourne Mint to create an everlasting vestige of its role in striking Australia’s copper coinage in 1929, this coin is as important as it is rare. Only three other examples are known. This Proof 1929 Penny has full copper brilliance on the reverse and underlying brilliance on the obverse. The fields are smooth, the design deeply etched.

This extremely rare 1811 Trinidad Holey Dollar was created from an 1808 Mexico Mint Silver Dollar that was pierced to create a plain cut, octagonal edged hole. So, while Governor Lachlan Macquarie was coining his Holey Dollars in Sydney in 1813, similar schemes had already been hatched across the other side of the globe, including the British Commonwealth Island of Trinidad. Irrespective of the issuing authority - New South Wales, Trinidad, Dominica or Canada's Prince Edward Island - the Holey Dollar is an internationally respected colonial coin that began its life as a Spanish Silver Dollar. Extremely rare and highly sought after.

Amazing but true, proof coining is a tradition that goes back centuries, as evidenced by this fabulous collection of nine 'Proclamation' proof coins from the era 1787 to 1804. For most collectors, the Proclamation era is seen as the beginning of numismatics in Australia.

Every dealer has an item, be it a coin or a banknote, that is close to their heart. In the case of industry figurehead, Barrie Winsor, that item is this 1910 Presentation Set. Winsor has always viewed it as the ‘ultimate’. Struck as a Presentation Set at the Royal Mint London - in its original case of issue - the set is comprised of four silver coins, the 1910 Florin, 1910 Shilling, 1910 Sixpence and 1910 Threepence minted to glorious SPECIMEN quality. Furthermore, it is unique in private hands. Only one other set is known, held in the Museum of Victoria Archives. Only a person of influence within the minting hierarchy could ever have access to such a striking and Winsor's research revealed that it must have come from Sir Robert Johnson, Deputy Mint Master of the Royal Mint London.

It's not every day a collector will have the opportunity of buying a Holey Dollar. Particularly one that is as famous as this coin. It was the piece Philip Spalding selected to grace the front cover of his literary masterpiece, 'The World of the Holey Dollar'. That exposure has given this Holey Dollar a powerful edge and has guaranteed its place in history as one of the most recognised of its specie. A signed "First Edition" copy of Spalding's book - numbered '15' - and inscribed by the author will be presented with the sale of this coin. Technical shots are provided.

A 1916 Presentation Set in an original case of issue always commands buyer attention. A Presentation Set of coins records an important moment or event in a nation's history and, for Australia, the year 1916 is indeed a significant one. Now add the final touch of the four words - original case of issue. The case is a stamp of authority and approval indicating that the coins are presented today as they were originally intended more than a century ago. This 1916 Presentation Set is a classic piece of Australiana that is as distinctive as it is rare. Especially created at the Melbourne Mint in 1916 to commemorate the mint’s inaugural striking of Australia’s Commonwealth coins, the set is comprised of the florin, shilling, sixpence and threepence struck to superb specimen quality. Only seven cased presentation sets have been observed at auction over the last half-century.

The Spanish Silver Dollar was fabled as pirate plunder. It was the famous ‘piece of eight’ of the Spanish empire and it was used – and abused – by British colonies right across the globe to create their very own local currency. Cut into quarters, half or three-quarter segments and stamped with the insignia of a colony, it served as small change for that dependency. Holed It became the famous Holey Dollar. This collection is comprised of five coins, all of which were created from the Spanish Silver Dollar. Extremely rare and highly historical, this collection of five coins is available now.

Let there be no doubt, one of the prime reasons for the popularity of the 1930 Penny is its financial reliability. It is a solid coin. And in times such as we are experiencing, this genuinely counts. In fact, we would go one step further and say that over the long term it has probably been one of our most consistent and trustworthy numismatic performers. This 1930 Penny is graded Good Fine with nice edges and a strong ‘1930’ date. Take up a magnifying glass and you will see that the obverse has one side of the central diamond and six pearls. And while the quality should be enough to gain buyer attention, it is the price that makes this 1930 Penny irresistible buying. We are offering it at $24,500. Technical shots are shown below.