The unique Perth Mint 1899 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, as it so happens, no half sovereigns were struck as circulating currency by the Perth Mint in 1899. 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 to support Western Australia's gold industry. One hundred and twenty six years later, it is Australia’s only fully operating ‘gold rush’ mint and has evolved to become a formidable player in what is today, a global gold coin market.
In 2024, the mint celebrated its one hundred and twenty fifth anniversary of coining and was described by CEO Paul Graham as a "unique and tradition-rich organisation".
The traditions that the Perth Mint now embrace, the creation of precious metal masterpieces and continual coining excellence, had their beginnings with the coin shown above. It was struck in 1899 as a presentation piece, to the highest minting standards and is technically referred to as a Coin of Record.
Coins of Record were struck at the discretion of the mint master to a proof or specimen finish, and to standards far exceeding that required of a circulating coin. They were not struck for commercial purposes. Even so, the coins were meant to impress with mirrored fields that bounced the light and a wealth of design depth.
Coins of Record boast an aesthetic resilience. They are a powerful, artistic interpretation of coinage and, because of their extreme scarcity, hold an exalted position with collectors. The crown jewels of coinage, they add glamour and exceptionality to any collection.
The Coins of Record of the Perth Mint are so rare and historically important, they deserve to be preserved for future generations and publicly displayed so that they can be shared.
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. The dies were prepared by the Royal Mint 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.
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 13 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 William Francis Ryan, July 2017.
Presentation: the 1899 Half Sovereign will be presented in a hand crafted presentation case by Anton Gerner
Australia’s Coins of Record are admired and respected worldwide. As with fine art and fine jewellery, they have prestige value.
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 sporadically producing Coins of Record of its sovereigns and half sovereigns.
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.
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.
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