The Kookaburra Penny and Halfpenny were trailblazers: Australia's first attempt at independent design in our coinage, produced in 1919, 1920 and 1921 at the Melbourne Mint. Coins with simple design elegance, produced for Australians, by Australians.

Avand-guard and adventurous, the historical significance of the kookaburra coins cannot be overstated. The coins pushed the boundaries of traditional design practices, using a 'never-tried before' concept of depicting wildlife unique to Australia. And introduced an innovative material of cupro-nickel. All of which were taken up in 1966 with Australia's decimal currency changeover!

In 1919, the Government put forward a proposal to replace the round 'British-styled' penny and halfpenny in use at the time with completely new Australian coins. Proudly nationalistic, crafted on one side, with a kookaburra sitting on a branch, underneath the word 'AUSTRALIA' and on the other side, a portrait of George V.

Eleven variations of the penny and two of the halfpenny were produced over three years, each a variation on the one kookaburra theme and each variation assigned a numeric design type, Type 1 to Type 13, to make it easy for collectors. 

The Type 4 Kookaburra Penny is a jewel in the crown of the series.

With perhaps four known it is the rarest of those struck in 1919. And along with the Type 8 Kookaburra Penny, is the rarest penny of the series. 

Four variations on the one kookaburra theme were produced in 1919, and they are designated the Type 3, Type 4, Type 5 and Type 6 Kookaburra Pennies.

We have sold only three examples of the Type 4 Kookaburra Penny. The first in 2000. The second in 2005. And the third in 2014. Re-affirming its scarcity, a Type 4 Kookaburra Penny last appeared at auction in 2003.

Typically, the Type 4 Kookaburra Pennies are stunning for quality, highly reflective mirror fields, almost proof-like, and a deeply etched design. 

In the first year of testing, 1919, the mint worked on only the penny, producing four different designs, designated the Type 3, Type 4, Type 5 and Type 6 Kookaburra Pennies.

Five penny designs were produced in 1920, designated the Type 7, Type 8, Type 9, Type 10. And the Type 13, a previously unknown design that was only discovered during a stocktake in the Museum of Victoria in the 1970s. Hence the out of step numeric sequence. In 1920, the mint expanded its focus and produced a halfpenny. Only one halfpenny design was tested, the Type 1.

The year 1921 was the final year of testing at the Melbourne Mint. Two penny variations on the kookaburra theme were produced in 1921, the Type 11 and the Type 12. And one halfpenny, the Type 2. 

The Kookaburra coins, Type 1 to Type 13 were struck in cupro-nickel. Three kookaburra pennies were especially struck in .925 fine Sterling Silver for Albert Le Souef, a passionate collector who also was a Deputy Master of the Melbourne Mint between 1921 and 1926.

His love of silver coinage was the driving force behind the striking of three Square Pennies in Sterling Silver. All were dated 1919, the first struck depicting the Type 4 design. A second depicting the Type 5 and the third, the Type 6. Each coin is unique. And each is stunning. You would be forgiven for thinking they were struck to proof quality.

The program of testing did not move forward beyond 1921. And the coins did not move into production. It is believed that over the three-year period two hundred pieces, of various designs, were produced, of which we estimate, one hundred and fifty are available to collectors. 

The best thing for collectors is that the one hundred and fifty kookaburra coins do not bear the same design. The Melbourne Mint tested many different styles of both obverse and reverse introducing enormous interest, personal choice and procurement challenges into the series. And each style has a different rarity rating.

The table below shows the design type and rarity of each of the Types 1 to 13 and the sterling silver kookaburra penny variations. Photographs of each design type are shown in the panels below. 

It is a statement of fact that a Kookaburra Square Penny and a Kookaburra Square Halfpenny with minor toning and beautiful surfaces is a joy to behold. And a prized classic Australian coin rarity. 

We have never met a collector that hasn’t enjoyed owning a Kookaburra square coin. They are engaging. They are prestigious. And they are the spirit of Australia. 

Coinworks is offering one of the four kn0wn Type 4 Kookaburra Pennies to interested parties. A superb Type 7 Kookaburra Penny is also available.