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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.

This Proof Canberra Florin set a new price record when it sold at auction in March 2007. Noted by the Auction House as having a quality of Gem FDC. and detailed as 'one of the finest', this stunning proof sold for nearly 50 per cent over its pre-auction estimate, bidders driven by its exceptional quality. The assessment of Gem FDC and its ranking as 'one of the finest' stands true to this very day. The photographs have done justice to this coin. It is simply magnificent.

A Nearly Extremely Fine 1813 Dump is a supreme-quality piece and rests in the top 5 per cent of surviving examples. A coin of this calibre is genuinely hard to find and is a chance opportunity. Now let’s factor in the provenance of Ray Jewell for a Nearly Extremely Fine Dump that has the name Ray Jewell attached to it, is a once-in-a-decade opportunity. Jewell was a foremost dealer and collector and a founding father of Australia’s rare coin industry. He was as learned as he was well-respected, and this Dump was part of his prized collection. It is a coin that has all the attributes that a collector could ask for in an 1813 Dump including a well-executed central design, traces of the original Spanish Dollar design details, strong denticles and the presence of the ‘H’ for Henshall on the reverse.

A Trans-Tasman connection was alive and kicking when New Zealander, Henry George Williams, financed the striking of a small number of 1935 Proof Pennies and 1935 Proof Halfpennies at the Melbourne Mint. In so doing, Williams unwittingly created an Australian 'numismatic star'. The term 'numismatic star' falls well short in describing these particular 1935 Proofs. The coins are perfectly matched, with glass-like surfaces and original copper brilliance, and are in every respect NUMISMATIC SUPER-STARS. We would be lucky to sight such quality '35 proofs on the market once every five years.

On 1 July 2020, Coinworks will have been trading twenty years. We are kick starting the celebrations and for one week only, we are offering this collection of twelve stunning copper proofs at a celebratory price of $15,000 (normal R.R.P. $21,000).

This Proof 1899 Half Sovereign is a golden opportunity. Your chance to acquire an extremely rare and highly important piece of proof gold, at the conservative price of $65,000. This coin is a showpiece of our industry. Tick the box for quality. It is brilliant and flawless. And tick the box for rarity. Exceedingly rare, only one other example has surfaced over the last century. And tick the box for importance. In 1899, the Footscray Football Club (now Western Bulldogs) won their second premiership in the club’s history. It is the coin that has it all ... including the price.

This Proof Sovereign was struck at the Melbourne Mint in 1893. It is exceedingly rare. Only one other example has surfaced over the last century. It also is exceedingly important. In 1893, Australia changed the obverse portrait of the nation's sovereigns to depict Queen Victoria in her twilight years. Expertly crafted from 22 carat gold, the coin exudes luxury and wealth a dichotomy to the economic and social horrors of the year in which it was struck. And the city in which it was struck. For Australia in 1893 was experiencing a depression that lasted longer than anywhere else in the world and Melbourne was its epicentre. This Proof 1893 Sovereign is an enduring symbol of our past.

Numismatic history and numismatic catalogues were re-written in 1999, when this Proof 1932 Penny appeared at auction. Up until then no one knew that a Proof Penny from 1932 even existed. As you would expect, the market reacted and frenetic bidding saw the coin sell for nearly seventy per cent above its pre-auction estimate. This is a stunning coin with impeccable mirror fields, full underlying copper brilliance on both obverse and reverse. The opaline colours of the obverse in particular are simply glorious.

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 traces of the seventh and eighth pearl. 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 and glossy. We would place this coin in the top 5 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.

There are two things we know about high quality 1855 Sydney Mint Sovereigns. NUMBER ONE. They are extremely rare. You can count on the fingers of one hand the number of 1855 Sydney Mint Sovereigns we have sold at this quality level. NUMBER TWO. They are exceedingly important. The '55 Sovereign is the nation's very first sovereign and will always have pride of place in any collection. So, if quality 1855 Sydney Mint Sovereigns are difficult to find today, then they are going to be even more difficult to find as the years roll on. Which is why we believe that high quality 1855 Sydney Mint Sovereigns are great coins to tuck away for the future.

Prices of Australian pre-decimal proofs rocketed between 2001 and 2002 when a collection of elite Proof Melbourne coppers came up at auction. This Proof 1928 Halfpenny was a part of the collection. The coins had never been sighted before, the vendor indicating that he had bought them from renowned collector Roy Farman in the 1950s. Farman, in turn, had held them from the day they were struck. We attended the auction and the competition for acquisition was as strong as we have ever seen. A case in point, this Proof 1928 Halfpenny, sold for $13,400 on a pre-auction estimate of $7500 and it is noted that the auction estimate reflected price guides at the time. And the reason for the heady prices?

The saying that “GREAT COLLECTORS ONLY EVER OWN GREAT COINS” is exemplified in this stunning matched pair of Proof 1938 Penny and Proof 1938 Halfpenny. A superb FDC, with full copper brilliance, the coins were formerly held by renowned American collector John Jay Pitman and, in 2005, sold to the equally renowned Madrid Collection of Australian Rare Coins.

How would today's collectors react if Governor Lachlan Macquarie had set aside the first forty Holey Dollars. And the first forty Dumps. And produced them with an identifying mark that made them undeniably connected to the very first production run of Australia's very first coins. Over the moon I would have thought. Unwittingly that is exactly what die sinker and engraver Joshua Payne did when he set up the dies and commenced production of the nation's first gold coin at the Government Assay Office, Adelaide. The reverse die, with its simple, elegant beaded inner circle cracked, the mishap discovered only after forty-plus coins were produced. And then, when he swapped over the reverse die, he replaced it with one that had a completely different design. Joshua Payne's actions unknowingly created a rarity of the highest order, the Adelaide Pound Type I, struck during the very first production run of the nation's first gold coin. Defined by a reverse with the beaded inner circle and the tell-tale crack in the DWT area of the legend, perhaps forty examples are known. Technical shots are shown in READ MORE.

The Numismatic Association of Australia (N.A.A.) is one of the industry's most venerated institutions. Their journal is professionally bound and presented to subscribers annually, the contributors to the journal are some of the finest numismatists of our time. When the N.A.A. decided to publish an article on William Henshall and his role as Australia's first Mint Master in striking the Holey Dollar and Dump ... they chose this coin as the sole front cover item of their publication. And with good reason. This Dump has unique qualities. Notice the outline of the lion. And the castle, with its battlements and windows. These are the design elements of the original Spanish Silver Dollar that Henshall used to create this coin. Its presence is highly prized. We have handled only one other Dump that so clearly displays its Spanish Silver Dollar origins. (A copy of the N.A.A. Journal will be provided with this coin.)

Prices of Australian pre-decimal proofs rocketed between 2001 and 2002 when a collection of elite Proof Melbourne coppers came up at auction. This Proof 1928 Penny was a part of the collection. The coins had never been sighted before, the vendor indicating that he had bought them from renowned collector Roy Farman in the 1950s. Farman, in turn, had held them from the day they were struck. We attended the auction and the competition for acquisition was as strong as we have ever seen. A case in point, this Proof 1928 Penny, sold for $19,000 on a pre-auction estimate of $10,000 and it is noted that the auction estimate reflected price guides at the time. And the reason for the heady prices?

This is a superb 1930 Penny, in the top 15 per cent of surviving examples, with an obverse grading of Nearly Very Fine and a reverse grading of Very Fine. Collectors will note the almost full central diamond and six very plump pearls in the king’s crown. Collectors will also take on board the price. Presented in a quality level of Nearly Very Fine, this coin is available at the same price as one graded two notches down at Good Fine and that's a $5000 price advantage over our normal R.R.P. 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 are provided in the READ MORE section below.

There are two aspects we always consider when we are checking out an Adelaide Pound Type II. First up is the eye appeal. For us, the coin must look good. And secondly, we look at the strength of the strike, just how well the design was executed during the minting process. This Adelaide Pound scores highly on both counts. It is an impressive example of the nation’s first gold coin, well preserved with original golden lustre, particularly strong on the reverse. And the design has been well executed, the crown is strong, the edge denticles are complete (making it a definite exception to those most commonly found) and the legend Government Assay Office is exceptionally strong (again an exception). And this stunning Adelaide Pound Type II is available now. Technical shots are in the READ MORE section.

This is simply a great 1930 Penny. The obverse is graded Good Fine and the reverse a higher quality grading of Very Fine. Collectors will note the partial central diamond and six plump pearls in the king’s crown. Collectors will also take on board the price. Presented in a quality level of Good Fine, this coin is available at the same price as one graded one notch down at Fine. It is our MARCH/APRIL SPECIAL, offering a price advantage of $4500 over our normal R.R.P. 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.

This coin is for the buyer that is seeking one of the absolute finest examples of Australia’s famous 1930 Penny. We rate it as number FOUR in the pecking order of known 1930 Pennies. The enormity of this offer becomes clear when you consider that there are quite likely one thousand (or more) 1930 Pennies in existence today. Given the clear and defining quality traits of this piece, it is in every respect a ‘miracle’ coin. In the READ MORE section, we have included close-up photographs of this coin and, as a point of comparison, an average quality 1930 Penny. It makes for interesting viewing.

You will have a fabulous insight into Australia’s early financial history with this extremely rare 1893 Bank of Adelaide One Pound. The Bank of Adelaide was incorporated by an Act of Parliament under a Deed of Settlement on 5 December 1865, with an authorized capital of £250,000 in 50,000 £5 shares. Regarded as a pillar of the Adelaide establishment, the Bank of Adelaide was named after the city in which it was formed. This One Pound Specimen note survives today as one of twenty known examples.

The 1813 Holey Dollar is the nation's first coin. Its standing means that it is a very valuable piece. The coin also is extremely rare with less than 200 examples available to collectors. Over the past few years that has been a noticeable increase in demand for Holey Dollars, steadily pushing prices higher. Securing a quality Holey Dollar priced below $100,000 has become a very difficult task. Which is why this coin is so appealing. Yes, it has circulated but the design details of the original Spanish Dollar are clear. And the over-stamping of New South Wales and the date 1813 is strong. This coin will make owning a Holey Dollar a reality for just one buyer. It is affordable. Conservatively priced, it offers excellent buying value.

If you can incorporate the word ‘exceptional’ into a coin’s description, its investment value is enhanced. Exceptional quality. Exceptional rarity. That word ‘exceptional’ is simply the qualification that your coin stands out from the rest making it more appealing to any potential buyer. And so, it is with this coin. This Holey Dollar is distinguished as being the very finest of the T. Knight counter-stamped Holey Dollars.

There is an immeasurable pride in owning an example of Australia’s first coin, the Holey Dollar. And if you can open not one, but TWO, of the most respected books on Holey Dollars and see your coin detailed and illustrated, then the feelings go even deeper. It is an affirmation of the proud history that accompanies your coin. And so it is with this Holey Dollar. It is illustrated in Philip Spalding's esteemed book, “The World of the Holey Dollar”. And the internationally respected “Holey Dollars of New South Wales” by Messrs. Mira & Noble. And it is true that only a handful of collectors can ever lay claim to having their Holey Dollars in both books.

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 the hint of a 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 $21,000.