The unique 1899 Perth Mint Half Sovereign
Collectors are driven by a desire to find rare items, particularly those that are unique, whether for personal appreciation, historical significance, or investment. And collectors often seek the 'first' of an item. Collectors are also attracted to high-quality pieces that offer a unique experience and pride of ownership. This 1899 Half Sovereign is the ultimate collector's item. Struck as a presentation piece at the Perth Mint in its opening year, the 1899 Half Sovereign is unique. As to its unique status, no other presentation pieces are held by private collectors or institutions worldwide, including the Perth Mint. And, in 1899, no half sovereigns were struck as circulating currency by the Perth Mint. Sovereigns only, were minted. As a presentation piece, the coin was produced to the highest minting standards far exceeding that required for circulating coinage and survives today in a glorious mint state. Bequeathed to the current owner, the unique 1899 Perth Mint Half Sovereign is offered for sale by private treaty and presents an opportunity of a lifetime.
The Perth Mint opened its doors on 20 June 1899 as a branch of the Royal Mint London, its purpose to produce sovereigns and half sovereigns, supporting Western Australia's gold industry.
The dies for the 1899 Sovereign and 1899 Half Sovereign were prepared in London, the obverse design featuring the Veiled Head portrait of Queen Victoria designed by Sir Thomas Brock. The reverse featured St George and the Dragon, designed by Benedetto Pistrucci. A discrete 'P' for 'Perth' was placed above the date to clearly identify the issuing mint as that of the Perth Mint.
No half sovereigns were struck as circulating currency by the Perth Mint in 1899. Only sovereigns, the mintage a recorded 690,992 coins.
While a mintage of circulating half sovereigns was not undertaken by the Perth Mint in its opening year, this coin was especially struck as a presentation piece.
It is a strikingly beautiful coin, individually crafted to standards far exceeding that required of ordinary currency with mirrored fields that reflect the light and a wealth of design depth.
Coin: 1899 Perth Mint Half Sovereign struck as a Coin of Record to a specimen finish and authenticated by the Royal Mint London in September 1985.
Quality: A brilliant state, FDC
Rarity: Unique. The only known half sovereign struck using the dies dated 1899. No examples are held in institutions worldwide, including the Perth Mint.
Price: $600,000
Exhibited: Perth Mint 23 June 2025 to 14 August 2025.
Provenance: Ex S. V. Hagley collection late 1940's • Spink Auctions (Australia) November 1985, lot 1046 • Spink Auctions (Australia) March 1989 in the liquidation of the R.G. & C. Pratley collection, lot 1558 • Sold privately in 1994 by Noble Numismatics for $150,000 • Nobles Auction March 2003, lot 1381 • Madrid Collection of Australian Rare Coins, 2003 • Coinworks sale by private treaty to family member of current owner, July 2017
Three branches of the Royal Mint London operated in Australia. The Sydney Mint opening in 1855, the Melbourne Mint in 1872 and the Perth Mint in 1899, each mint producing presentation pieces of its sovereigns and half sovereigns. Technically we refer to them as Coins of Record.
Australia’s Coins of Record are respected worldwide. As with fine art and fine jewellery, they have prestige value. The crown jewels of coinage, they add glamour and exceptionality to any collection.
There is, however, a fundamental difference between the Coins of Record of the Perth Mint and those of Melbourne and Sydney. The Perth Mint Coins of Record have a higher profile, because the mint is still operating. The Sydney Mint closed in 1926, the Melbourne Mint in 1964, their greatest historical pieces are, in many respects, confined to history.
A Coin of Record is an artistic interpretation of coinage, a strikingly beautiful coin beyond ordinary currency, individually crafted to standards far exceeding that required of a circulating coin.
Using technical terms, Coins of Record were struck using special minting techniques to either a proof or specimen finish involving highly polished blanks to create mirror fields and carefully prepared dies to ensure a wealth of design definition.
A Coin of Record is a showpiece. The crown jewels of coinage, adding glamour and exceptionality to any collection.
Whereas production of circulating coinage was dictated by Government, Coins of Record were struck at the discretion of the mint master. Placed in the mint’s archives for posterity. Perhaps, an example forwarded to the monarch. Coins of Record were occasionally produced for the Royal Mint London, a selected museum or to display at an international exhibition. Or gifted to a dignitary. All circumstances that necessitated the very best in minting standards.
For the Perth Mint, its story is on-going. Its collecting audience is expanding. The Perth Mint’s commercial profile creates an environment whereby its earlier gold sovereign and half sovereign issues can be enabled and brought to life.
As the name 'Macquarie' lives on through the Macquarie Bank, so too history lives on for the Perth Mint through its current coining operations.
Every time the Perth Mint opens its doors to welcome visitors, releases a new proof coin or celebrates an anniversary of its minting operations (as it did on 2024), we are reminded of a heritage that began in 1899. And we are further reminded of a tradition of continual coining excellence that began with its Coins of Record.
The coins were not produced every year and, as they were individually crafted, the process was time consuming and the mintages tiny, therefore. For gold proofs, generally less than four pieces.
In its entire sovereign and half sovereign history (1899 to 1931), the Perth Mint struck Coins of Record in only three years, 1899, 1901 and 1931. As a sector of the Australian rare coin market, the Perth Mint Gold Coins of Record is the most exclusive sector for collectors to buy into. The whereabouts of the privately owned 1899 Specimen Sovereign is unknown, the 1899 Specimen Half Sovereign is unique (and offered here). The 1901 Proof Sovereign is one of two known, the 1901 Proof Half Sovereign unique. (A sovereign and the only known half sovereign sold recently as a pair.) The 1931 Proof Sovereign is one of two known. Simple arithmetic confirms that the buying pool for collectors of the Perth Mint Coins of Record is seven coins.
1899 Specimen Sovereign
Whereabouts unknown.
1899 Specimen Half Sovereign
One example is known.
1901 Proof Sovereign
Two examples are held by private collectors.
1901 Half Proof Half Sovereign
One example is held by a private collector.
1931 Proof Sovereign
Two examples are held by private collectors.
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