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For collectors looking to obtain just one gold sovereign, the nation’s very first sovereign, the 1855 Sydney Mint Sovereign is the obvious choice. The coin is Australia’s first official gold currency minted at the Sydney Mint, the nation’s very first mint. Given its history, the coin will always be in demand, today and into the future. And this example is impressive and extremely rare at this quality level. In the flesh, the coin sparkles under the light. And the edges are solid. The design detail is obvious, even to the naked eye. Under the eye glass the coin continues to shine for the crown is well struck, the fleur de lis on left and right are precise as are the pleats in the cloth. So is ‘AUSTRALIA’ below the crown. And the hairline at the top of Victoria’s forehead is well struck with just a whisper touch to the design high points. The technical shots confirm the coin's impressive state.

There are Adelaide One Pounds. And then there is the Eliasberg Adelaide One Pound, so named because it was formerly owned by one of the world's greatest 20th century collectors Louis E. Eliasberg Snr. The Eliasberg Adelaide Pound promises and delivers an experience for the buyer. It is an elite example of one of the most famous of world gold coin issues, fully lustrous with superbly executed edges and a brilliantly executed design. Its state of preservation is miraculous, the design definition equally so and in our view, it is number two in the pecking order of Type II Adelaide Pounds.

The year '1930' is very important to the industry. It has created legends such as the Proof 1930 Penny. And the penny's lower denomination counterpart, the Proof 1930 Halfpenny. Both coins have a date that counts, the year resonating with all Australians. And a year that guarantees their continuing popularity. This Proof 1930 Halfpenny is particularly famous as it was formerly held in the Madrid Collection of Australian Rare Coins. This coin is a superb FDC with iridescent mirror surfaces that reflect stunning purple and emerald-green flashes, highlighting the date and highlighting the legend on both obverse and reverse. The inner beading is pristine. The edge denticles immaculate. This is a memorable coin!

Had the craftsman that tooled out this Holey Dollar been a history buff he would have registered that the Spanish Silver Dollar that he was about to cut through, was quirky. And a great numismatic rarity. The Silver Dollar was struck in 1790, the legend confirming that Charles IV was the reigning Spanish monarch. But there is a twist to this coin! The portrait depicted the deceased monarch, Charles III, who had died two years earlier in 1788. And it is the twist that makes this Holey Dollar a coin of significance and a great numismatic rarity. We note the first formal record of ownership of this Holey Dollar is Howard D Gibbs. A great collector with a keen eye for rarity, he was a former owner of the world famous Madrid Holey Dollar and the only known example of an Uncirculated Holey Dollar. This Holey Dollar from the British colony of Dominica is supremely rare.

This colonial creation is a celebration of the Sydney Mint’s achievements in crafting perfection in gold. A brilliant frosted proof, featuring the 'Sydney Mint' design, this coin is historic because it was actually struck at the Sydney Mint. (Not the Royal Mint London, as were the other Australian proofs out of this era.) The coin is unique in private hands. Two other examples are known, held in Government institutions. The Museum of Victoria, Melbourne. And the Biblioteque Nationale de France, Paris.

The 1823 Tasmania Shilling is Australia’s first private coin issue. It is extremely rare with perhaps thirty pieces known, this piece placed in the top tier quality-wise. The issue was financed by British entrepreneurs, Hugh MacIntosh and Peter Degraves, the design featuring a kangaroo and the name 'Tasmania', both of which are noteworthy. It was the earliest depiction of a kangaroo on an item of decorative art available for private ownership. And the first item of decorative art to feature the name Tasmania, rather than Van Diemen's Land. According to Australian author Greg Jeffreys these two gentlemen ultimately changed the course of Australia's history for by 1834 they had built two mills, founded the Cascade Brewery that today is Australia's oldest continually operating brewery. Spearheaded the establishment of Australia's oldest theatre, the Theatre Royal in central Hobart. And facilitated the writing of Australia's first novel by convicted forger and author, Henry Savery. This Macintosh & Degraves Shilling brings history to life with a direct link to two men who were "movers and shakers" in Tasmania’s colonial economy.

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 proof coinage. 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 now famous Madrid Collection of Australian Rare Coins. The technical photographs confirm its glorious state.

Rare coins raise awareness of our history and rare coins raise awareness of our accomplishments. It is a statement that may well have been written for this 1871 Proof Sovereign and 1871 Proof Half Sovereign. Brilliant and flawless and struck at the Sydney Mint, they are the very first proof coins struck in Australia.

Throughout history, extraordinary events have impacted on a nation’s currency, triggering ad hoc measures to supplement a medium of exchange. Affecting mintages or inspiring new designs and sometimes even inspiring brand-new coins. The events create an environment that spawns numismatic superstars, coins that are overwhelmingly rare and supremely important. The coins shown above, were all struck in 1937 at the Royal Mint London and each is an Australian numismatic superstar. The extraordinary event that triggered their star status was the cancellation of the coronation of Edward VIII. The Australian Government planned to launch new coin designs in 1937, to coincide with Edward's coronation. The Royal Mint London prepared the master dies and struck a minuscule number of test pieces for the Government featuring the new designs. Edward VIII’s decision to abdicate the British throne AND the subsequent decision by the Australian Government to produce no circulating currency in 1937, other than the crown - conferred a superstar status on the test pieces.

The nation's first gold coin was struck at the Adelaide Assay Office on 23 September 1852. We know it today as the 1852 Adelaide Pound. We follow a simple process when it comes to acquiring an Adelaide Pound. We check the coin in the hand confirming that it is aesthetically pleasing. We then take the coin under the glass examining the fine detail. And then we re-check it with the naked eye to confirm our decision. We have gone through the processes with this coin, and we like what we see with both the naked eye and the eye-glass. We particularly note that while this coin has circulated, there are not the gouges or hard knocks that are so often associated with circulated gold coins. We also note, the fields are highly reflective. (Technical shots are shown below in the Learn More section.)

Collectors and dealers can wait more than a decade to be offered a coin as good as this one! When this 1953 Perth Mint Proof Penny surfaced in 2013, interest in the coin was phenomenal. Offered at Australian Coin Auctions, it set an all-time high price record. The coin is truly spectacular. A molten proof copper, the reverse with full original brilliance. And on the obverse, brilliant glossy surfaces with magnificent iridescent toning. Solid striations are evident under the glass and reflect careful preparation of the dies resulting in a beautiful strike. History buffs please note, the obverse depicts the effigy of the late queen, Elizabeth II, the first year her portrait appeared on Australia’s coinage.

Australians were eager to welcome in a new currency when Edward VIII became king in 1936. The threepence, shilling and florin were up for major design revisions, as was the penny. The changes were put on the back burner when Edward VIII abdicated the British throne. In 1937, to create a distraction from the Royal scandal, the Australian Government authorised the striking of its first crowned sized coin. The five shillings was struck in sterling silver and weighed 28.27 grams with a diameter of 38.5 mm. A trickle over 1 million crowns were released into circulation. One hundred 1937 Proof Crowns were especially struck to sell to the public. While the circulating crown is readily available, the 1937 Proof Crown, with its tight mintage, is extremely difficult to acquire, confirmed by the frequency of our offerings. Its been six years since we last offered a proof crown.

This is an impressive 1930 Penny, in the top 10 per cent of surviving examples, with a grading of Very Fine. It is a classy coin. The important details such as the upper and lower scrolls, the legend and the date ‘1930’ are all prominent. And the edges, which we also consider important, are solid. Flip the coin, over and the monarch's crown shows four sides of the central diamond and six plump pearls. The oval to the left of the central diamond is almost complete. Moreover, the toning is a consistent and a handsome chocolate brown, the fields glossy and highly reflective. Technical shots are shown below in the 'Learn More' section.

The Royal Australian Mint is today a mass producer of coinage whether it be manufacturing circulating currency for Treasury. Or creating proof coinage to sell to collectors. The mint in Canberra is not geared to striking just a handful of proof coins, particularly one as diminutive as a threepence. As Australians we are fortunate that our pre-decimal mints bothered to preserve our coining heritage for future generations and create proof examples of our circulating currency. Struck as Coins of Record, this 1924 Proof Threepence and 1926 Proof Threepence are glorious examples of our early mint’s proof coining skills, both coins fully brilliant emanating magnificent colours. The coins have superb detail, in the emu's feathers, ADVANCE AUSTRALIA, and the date. Under the eye glass, both coins show heavy striations reflecting careful preparation of the dies. They are amazing pieces of Australia’s numismatic history and in their own way, mini-works of art. The coins are extremely rare, and we note this is the only 1924 Proof Threepence we have sold. And indeed, the only 1926 Proof Threepence sold. Check out the technical shots below. They are brilliant!

We are not sure which excites us most. The date '1920'. The coin's unique rarity status. Or the asking price of $20,000. This 1920 Proof Sixpence was struck as a Coin of Record at the Melbourne Mint and is the only known example. Struck with a high wire rim with a brilliant reverse, the coin shows heavy striations reflecting careful preparation of the dies. The year 1920 hosts the rarest coins in the Australian numismatic industry; a stunning line-up that includes Australia’s rarest florin, the 1920 Pattern Star Florin, one of Australia’s most valuable shillings, the 1920 Pattern Star Shilling, Australia’s most valuable sovereign, the 1920 Sydney Mint Sovereign and the most valuable kookaburra coin, the 1920 Square Halfpenny ... and that's just for starters. History is preserved in this 1920 Proof Sixpence for today’s collectors. And for future generations.

A great coin can develop a brand that gives it a distinct identity to distinguish it from its competitors. The brand offers clarity. The brand offers trust. A brand is a promise of an experience. The development of the brand starts with an extraordinary quality coin. Coupled with an outstanding performance in the public domain. And then a great collector moves into the picture acquiring the coin, and the demand and the performance self-perpetuates. The Ross Pratley 1858 Sydney Mint Half Sovereign is a brand. It is an extraordinary coin, the finest of its year and unequivocally, the finest Sydney Mint Half Sovereign. It is quite likely the very finest Australian half sovereign. Holding this coin in your hand is like holding no other for its condition belies its original purpose of being used as the circulating currency workhorse of the colony. Presented in the finest state of preservation, the technical shots shown below confirm the glorious state of the Ross Pratley 1858 Sydney Mint Half Sovereign.

This 1855 Sydney Mint Half Sovereign is from the esteemed Quartermaster Collection and is one of the great coins of Australian numismatics. It is the very finest example of the nation’s first half sovereign. The ultimate quality ranking of the finest. And the ultimate historical standing as the first half sovereign produced at the Sydney Mint, the nation's first mint. The earliest recorded owner was Canadian coin dealer, William Barrett, who acquired the piece in the 1970s. But it was the exchange in the 1980s, to Sydney gold coin dealer, Robert Jaggard, that was for Australian collectors, the most momentous. The jewel in the crown of the Sydney Mint Half Sovereign series was brought home to its country of origin. And its city of origin. Barrie Winsor and Tom Hadley were acutely aware that, when it came to acquiring an 1855 Sydney Mint Half Sovereign for the Quartermaster Collection, there really was only one option. This coin. And so, they played a waiting game.

This coin is a prize. It is one of the finest examples of the nation’s first sovereign, the 1855 Sydney Mint Sovereign, offered in a quality of Choice Uncirculated. To our knowledge, only four other examples are known at this quality level, including the famous Quartermaster coin. And there are none finer. It is hard to fathom how a coin that was intended for circulation can survive in this state. Plucked off the production line is a possible answer. The fields are magnificent, brilliant and highly reflective. The design detail is obvious, even to the naked eye. Under the eye glass the coin continues to shine for the crown is well struck, the cross on the orb at the top of the crown is complete, the fleur de lis on left and right are precise as are the pleats in the cloth. And so is ‘AUSTRALIA’ below the crown. And the hairline at the top of Victoria’s forehead is well struck and untouched. Whether you are a collector or a dealer, you never forget the moment you lay eyes on a truly great coin. For us it was 2009, when we sighted this quite extraordinary 1855 Sydney Mint Sovereign.

We like the quality of this Holey Dollar. Beautifully toned, the coin has fabulous eye appeal and glossy, lustrous surfaces. And we like the quality of the counter stamps. A top quality Extremely Fine, with original silver lustre, the 'H' for Henshall between the two twigs of leaves as well formed as we have seen. We also like the placement of the counter stamps, that 'New South Wales' and 'Five Shillings' are at the top of the coin, as they were always intended. Last, but by no means least, we like its price point. When it comes to buying a Holey Dollar, the price point of between $100,000 and $200,000 offers extreme value for your investment dollars. The buyer is taking up a coin that, to the naked eye looks relatively untouched and that has all its design details intact. (In comparison to those Holey Dollars priced below $100,000 that show obvious design wear and/or possible defects from usage.) The technical shots shown below confirm our glowing assessment of the coin.

A coin that has a pedigree that includes Australia’s greatest gold coin collectors Bob Jaggard, Paul Terry and Tom Hadley will never disappoint. This 1887 Sovereign, a case in point. It is a rare date sovereign and it is the finest known. In Australia’s history, the year 1887 is unique in that it presented the Deputy Master of the Melbourne Mint with two distinctly different reverse designs, St George and the Dragon or Shield. And as Queen Victoria celebrated her Golden Jubilee mid-1887, there were options of two distinctly different obverse designs, the Young Head or Jubilee portrait. With so many options, and no requirement to strike equal numbers of each, it was inevitable that a super-rarity would emerge. And it has in the form of this coin, the 1887 Shield Sovereign featuring the Young Head portrait of Queen Victoria. Extremely rare across all quality levels and this example the very finest at Brilliant Uncirculated. The technical shots, shown below, confirm its glorious state.

This is a Classic 1930 Penny with a partial central diamond and six plump pearls. And it is priced below $30,000 which makes it the perfect entry point for buyers keen to acquire a nice 1930 Penny. Notice the inner beading in the area between the last 'A' in Australia and the '30' in the date. It is crisp and pristine which is very often NOT the case with 1930 Pennies. (Due to the strike this area can be flat.) We note the toning is even and handsome. Our summary conclusion is that this coin is impressive and you will be proud to show it off to your family and friends. This is an iconic 1930 Penny. The technical photos confirm its positive attributes.

A Trans-Tasman connection was alive and kicking when New Zealander, Henry George Williams, financed the striking of a small number of Proof Pennies in 1935 at the Melbourne Mint. In so doing, Williams unwittingly created an Australian 'numismatic star'. The term 'numismatic star' falls well short in describing this particular Proof 1935 Penny. It is a NUMISMATIC SUPER-STAR for the coin has glass-like surfaces and original copper brilliance on both reverse and obverse. Heavy striations reflect zealous preparation of the dies resulting in a superb strike. This coin was sold to the vendor in 2002. It is Melbourne Mint proof coining at its best and offers quality that is seldom seen. A collector will wait decades to acquire proofs of this calibre.