Sterling Silver Kookaburra Penny, 1919, Type 4
The Kookaburra Penny was planned as a new Australian coinage, a new shape, a new design and the new metal of cupro-nickel. The coins were produced over the period 1919 to 1921 and 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.
There are many important coins within the Kookaburra coin series.
The 1920 Type 1 Halfpenny, with three examples known. The 1920 Crowned Head Type 10 Penny, the only penny to depict the monarch with a crown. The luxurious Type 4, extremely rare, an engaging design and proof-like satin surfaces. Or the Type 6, as with the Type 4, luxurious. Then there is the 1921 Type 2 Halfpenny. We could go on.
But, there are three 'ultimate' coins within the Kookaburra series and they are the 1919 Sterling Silver Kookaburra Penny, Type 4, 1919 Sterling Silver Kookaburra Penny, Type 5 and 1919 Sterling Silver Kookaburra Penny, Type 6.
Sterling Silver Kookaburra Penny, 1919, Type 4
This coin has the immaculate design detail of the Type 4. But was 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.
He amassed a magnificent collection that was almost entirely donated to the Museum of Victoria.
His love of silver coinage was the driving force behind the striking of three Square Pennies in Sterling Silver. All dated 1919. The first was struck depicting the Type 4 design.
A second depicting the Type 5 and the third, this coin, the design of the Type 6. Each coin is unique. And each is stunning. You would be forgiven for thinking they were struck to proof quality. The Sterling Silver Kookaburra Pennies have never been offered at auction. The earliest recorded private sale was in 1992, for $25,000.
Sterling Silver Kookaburra Penny, 1919, Type 4
Rarity - Unique.
Composition - Sterling Silver (.925 fine)
Reverse - Kookaburra perched on a section of a tree branch, the word 'AUSTRALIA' sharply curved in large lettering, the penny denomination over two lines. The kookaburra presents a fuller version to the Type 5 and is shared with the Type 6, the beak elongated extending past the 'L' in 'AUSTRALIA' to the 'I', the tail with four feathers, the eye struck incuse.
Obverse - Uncrowned effigy of George V, portrait reduced from a metal die supplied by Australian manufacturer, Stokes & Son and shared with the Type 3 and Type 5 Kookaburra Penny. The circular legend reads, GEORGE V D. G. BRITT: OMN:REX, the date appearing below the portrait with ornamental stops separating it from the legend.
When the Kookaburra Square Penny was created, Australians were recovering from the war and determined to lessen the ties with Great Britain.
The mood even filtered through to our coinage! The Government planned to introduce a square penny with our native bird on the reverse. And the monarch minus his crown on the obverse! Provocative and contentious but uniquely Australian.
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